Starting from the world of martial arts in the Condor Heroes, practicing martial arts across the hea

In early spring, when the scenery was bright and clear, Jiang Nan bid farewell to Peach Blossom Island. At that time, he and Huang Rong did not explicitly agree to marriage, there were no promises from the matchmakers, and no solemn vows. However, their two hearts, which knew and cherished each other, had already silently formed a tacit understanding.

He knew that this trip to the island was not only for adventure in the martial arts world and to improve his skills, but also to prepare betrothal gifts and arrange a happy marriage. When he returned, it would be time for a grand wedding with a magnificent procession of red bridal processions.

On Peach Blossom Island, amidst verdant cliffs and azure seas, peach blossoms bloom year after year. Huang Yaoshi, clad in a green robe, sits quietly atop Finger Flicking Peak, facing the sea and the wind, patiently waiting. This aloof and unparalleled figure, the Eastern Heretic, is eccentric and unrestrained, never bound by worldly rules. Yet, for his only daughter, Huang Rong, he harbors the softest and most tender concern in the world.

He had already made up his mind that this trip to Jiangnan would be the final test of their marriage.

If, during their wanderings in the martial world, Jiangnan fails to protect Huang Rong even slightly, causing her the slightest grievance or injury; or if this young man's heart is fickle, and upon his return he never mentions marriage again, betraying his daughter's devoted heart, then no matter how exquisite Jiangnan's martial arts are or how insightful his mind, even if he travels to the ends of the earth, Huang Yaoshi will personally take action to make him pay the price, and will never allow anyone to betray Rong'er's sincere heart.

Despite this silent oppression, Jiang Nan remained clear-headed and never slackened in the slightest.

For the past year, he has traveled across mountains and rivers with Huang Rong and Xiaolongnu, witnessing the vicissitudes of life in the martial world. The three of them travel together, open and honest, but such is the way of the martial world: people's hearts are unpredictable, and gossip is a fearsome thing.

Secular etiquette is deeply ingrained, and people's perspectives are narrow and harsh. Even a lone man and woman traveling together would attract criticism, let alone a man and two women spending their days and nights together. Even if the three of them were upright and honest, and never overstepped any boundaries, rumors and gossip are never determined by their own conscience.

Public opinion can melt metal, and accumulated slander can destroy a person's reputation. A chorus of voices can bury innocence, and even the smallest rumors can ruin a person's honor.

As a person from a later era, Jiangnan was well aware that the traditional rites and laws had been criticized for thousands of years. Many outdated and rigid rules had bound people's hearts, imprisoned freedom, and harmed countless people. However, he was never one-sided or extreme, and he understood dialectical reasoning.

The reason why etiquette has been passed down for thousands of years without interruption is not because it arbitrarily binds people, but because it is a set of rules for living that have emerged in accordance with the times. It is a barrier to maintain social stability and protect the dignity and innocence of ordinary people.

For ordinary women, etiquette and law are armor of reputation, the foundation of their character, and the most secure protection in a chaotic world.

Huang Rong was exceptionally talented and intelligent, having inherited Huang Yaoshi's true teachings. Her temperament far surpassed that of ordinary young ladies. However, she was ultimately a person of the mortal world, living in the martial arts world, unable to escape the eyes of the world or avoid worldly judgment.

  

Now that Rong'er has turned eighteen, she is at the prime of her youth and a suitable age to marry. In the Song Dynasty, a girl is considered to have reached the age of marriage at sixteen, and eighteen is already considered late for marriage. If she delays marriage any longer and wastes her years, she will inevitably be criticized by the common people in the martial arts world and become known as "unmarried at an advanced age," needlessly wasting her beauty and reputation.

Everyone says that Huang Yaoshi disregards etiquette and is unrestrained and wild, treating worldly rules as nothing, living half his life as he pleases and doing whatever he wants. But only Jiangnan sees through the true nature of this Eastern Heretic: those who rebel against the world are often the ones who adhere to their own bottom line the most, being unrestrained and carefree with themselves, but extremely considerate to their loved ones.

Especially when it comes to such a momentous matter as his daughter's marriage, Huang Yaoshi may seem detached from worldly affairs, but in reality, he values ​​proper etiquette and status more than ordinary people.

Human nature is inherently selfish; all beings are driven by self-interest. This is an innate characteristic of humankind, the very foundation of being human. The vast majority of people spend their entire lives trapped in their own gains and losses, short-sighted and biased, unable to break free from their established patterns. Only those with great wisdom, a broad mind, and great perseverance can see through the superficiality of worldly affairs, transcend the shackles of self-interest, and weigh the pros and cons with a clear perspective.

Throughout Jiangnan's journey, everything he thought and did was to protect Huang Rong's life, ensure her reputation remained intact, and guarantee her a happy marriage.

A few days ago, he drove his RV, taking his two daughters across mountains and rivers. The journey was smooth and safe, and they once again set foot on Peach Blossom Island, this paradise on earth.

After several months' absence, Peach Blossom Island remains as beautiful as ever. Surrounded by the blue sea, peach groves stretch for miles. A gentle breeze carries the falling petals and a subtle fragrance. Pavilions and towers are nestled among the flowers and trees, elegant and serene, untouched by the hustle and bustle of the martial world.

After a long and tiring journey, the three of them rested and recuperated at their old lodgings on the island for a night, washing away the dust of their travels and calming their minds.

The next morning, as dawn broke and the morning dew lingered, the peach grove was shrouded in mist, resembling a fairyland. Jiang Nan dismissed the two women, not allowing Huang Rong and Xiaolongnu to stay by his side. Instead, he prepared all the betrothal gifts he had made himself, and walked steadily towards Huang Yaoshi's study on Finger Peak, where he usually resided.

Today, he will formally visit to propose marriage to Huang Rong, the only daughter of the Peach Blossom Island Master.

This short stretch of several hundred stone steps left Jiangnan with turbulent emotions and heavy steps.

In the past, when facing open and covert attacks from the martial world, and life-or-death crises, he was always calm and composed, unfazed by any change. Even when facing the pressure of the Five Greats, he could remain calm, advance and retreat with composure, and not be at a disadvantage. But now, standing outside the Flicking Finger Study, about to face Huang Yaoshi directly, he felt a sense of unease and anxiety he had never felt before.

Jiangnan felt like a dream from a past life, filled with the awkwardness and unease of being called to the teacher's office after making a mistake.

The moment he pushed open the door, he didn't even dare to look Huang Yaoshi in the eye.

He was afraid—afraid that the proud and aloof Peach Blossom Island Master would resolutely refuse, severing all ties between them; even more afraid that he would see the slightest disappointment or displeasure in those deep, sharp eyes that seemed to see through the ways of the world.

Jiangnan had long considered and planned this marriage proposal, carefully considering all possible paths.

He initially thought that, according to the orthodox customs of the martial arts world and the common etiquette, marriage should be arranged by a matchmaker. It would be best to find a highly respected and famous martial arts master as the matchmaker. Firstly, this would comply with the etiquette and procedures and silence any gossip. Secondly, with a senior master as a witness, the marriage would be more legitimate, perfect, and respectable.

However, upon careful consideration of the most outstanding masters of our time, there was not a single one to invite, nor was there anyone suitable.

The Five Greats of the World are the pinnacle of the martial arts world, their status and position more than capable of shouldering this heavy responsibility. However, the Central Divine has already passed away due to illness, and Lin Chaoying of the Ancient Tomb Sect, whom even Huang Yaoshi knew, died before Wang Chongyang, so there is no need to elaborate further.

Emperor Duan Zhixing of the South had long seen through the vanities of the world and lived in seclusion, indifferent to the grudges of the martial world and worldly affairs. His secluded place was elusive and difficult to find, and no one knew his whereabouts.

He had heard that Ying Gu knew where Duan Zhixing lived in seclusion, but Ying Gu had been wandering around for decades, entangled in a feud with the Southern Emperor, and did not know where he lived in seclusion. Therefore, he had no way to invite him, nor did he dare to invite him.

Hong Qigong, the Northern Beggar, was a free spirit who roamed the world, rarely seen. He was a wanderer, constantly on the move, with no fixed abode or destination. Jiangnan had no connection with the Beggars' Clan, no past ties, and no history. Moreover, he knew that the Beggars' Clan's disciples were of mixed quality, with various factions and internal strife. As a modern man, he disliked the Beggars' Clan's atmosphere and had never had the chance to meet Hong Qigong in his life, so he had no reason to ask for his help.

Ouyang Feng, the Western Poison, occupies the White Camel Mountain Manor in the Western Regions. His martial arts are unparalleled, and his reputation is formidable. He has a respectable relationship with Huang Yaoshi, the Eastern Heretic, and they often share a mutual respect when they meet in the martial world. In terms of status alone, Ouyang Feng is more than qualified to be the matchmaker. However, when Jiang Nan thinks of Ouyang Feng's son, Ouyang Ke, all that remains in her heart is sneer and apprehension.

In the original novel, The Return of the Condor Heroes, Ouyang Ke was lusting after Huang Rong's beauty and harbored covetous intentions. His wolfish ambitions were obvious. If he were to ask Ouyang Feng to act as a matchmaker, it would undoubtedly be like inviting a wolf into the house, inviting trouble upon himself, and leaving behind hidden dangers. He would never do such an absurd thing.

As for Qiu Qianren, the Iron Palm Water-Walking Master, although his martial arts skills were among the best in the martial arts world, barely qualifying him as a master, his character was flawed, his mind narrow, and his reputation tarnished. While not everyone in the martial arts world knew of his bad reputation, Jiangnan did. To have him witness his marriage to Huang Rong would not only be undignified but also an insult to Huang Rong's purity and elegance, thus Jiangnan immediately excluded him.

He secluded himself in Zhongnan Mountain for ten years, devoting himself to spiritual cultivation and martial arts practice, yet he had absolutely no contact with the other Taoists of the Quanzhen Sect. In those ten years, he at most brushed past the Seven Masters of Quanzhen from afar, never exchanging a single word. If it weren't for the physiognomy skills he had acquired through his own study, allowing him to discern people's appearances, he wouldn't even be able to distinguish one of the Seven Masters of Quanzhen from another. Who was Qiu Chuji? Who was Wang Chuyi?

More importantly, Huang Yaoshi had a long-standing feud with the Quanzhen Sect. He imprisoned Zhou Botong on Peach Blossom Island because of the Nine Yin Manual, and Huang Rong also lost her mother because of the Nine Yin Manual. Old and new entanglements piled up, and the grudges were hard to resolve.

If the Seven Immortals of Quanzhen were to act as matchmakers at this time, they would surely please neither side. The Quanzhen disciples are stubborn, rigid, and strictly adhere to their doctrines, and they would certainly resent Zhou Botong's imprisonment; Huang Yaoshi is arrogant and vengeful, and he would also resent the Quanzhen disciples interfering in his private affairs. In the end, they would only find themselves in a dilemma, caught in the middle and disliked by both sides, purely asking for trouble.

Apart from the Five Greats and the Seven Masters of Quanzhen, the other masters in the martial arts world either lacked reputation and experience, making them unworthy of Huang Yaoshi's attention; or they were eccentric and had poor reputations, making them unsuitable for the important task of matchmaking.

As for ordinary matchmakers from the streets, it's utterly absurd and laughable. The Master of Peach Blossom Island is renowned throughout the world, aloof and unparalleled, a pinnacle figure in the martial arts world, with an extremely noble status. Ordinary matchmakers, upon hearing the name of the Eastern Heretic, would already be terrified and uneasy, probably lacking even the courage to set foot on the island, let alone preside over the marriage of a descendant of the Five Greats. They would likely be terrified out of their wits by his supreme pressure.

After much deliberation and consideration, all paths proved impassable, and Jiangnan ultimately had no choice but to give up.

He had no choice but to put aside all his concerns, disregard worldly formalities, and bite the bullet to personally visit Huang Yaoshi and propose marriage for his own sake and for Huang Rong's future.

Although there was no matchmaker to witness the marriage and no one else to help, he devoted all his efforts to preparing the most extravagant dowry in the world, making up for the shortcomings in the process with his sincere heart.

None of the betrothal gifts he brought were from ordinary shops or common goods. They were all handcrafted by him, painstakingly crafted over a long period of time. Each piece represented his immense effort and time, and was imbued with his utmost sincerity.

The golden dragon and phoenix gold ingots, with their exquisite patterns and auspicious symbolism, come in pairs, signifying a happy marriage and good health year after year. The matching dragon and phoenix gold bracelets, of moderate thickness and intricate carvings, are dignified and elegant, perfectly complementing a woman's gentle and graceful demeanor. The meticulously crafted hundred-blessing gold lock necklace, with its regular patterns and dense auspicious symbols, signifies locking in peace, a smooth life, and lasting blessings.

In addition, there is a complete set of red gold cloisonné hairpins, a total of sixteen pieces, including hair ornaments, hair sticks, pearl hairpins, and earrings. The craftsmanship originates from ancient times, with cloisonné openwork, exquisite and translucent. Every detail is polished to perfection, making it luxurious, elegant and unparalleled.

The precious gems and jade artifacts were also extremely luxurious, all being top-tier treasures.

A pair of Hetian mutton fat jade bi discs produced in the deep mountains of Kunlun are warm and translucent, white as solidified fat, without a trace of impurity, and warm to the touch. They are top-grade treasures among jade. A pair of dragon and phoenix jade pendants are carved with lifelike craftsmanship and lively patterns. The dragon and phoenix are intertwined and in love, symbolizing mutual affection and lifelong commitment.

There are also bracelets made of warm jade for winter and exquisitely carved jade hairpins. They are delicate in texture, warm in winter and cool in summer, and can be worn close to the body to nourish the mind, calm the nerves and strengthen the body. They are all rare and beautiful jades that are hard to come by.

Aside from jewelry and precious jewels, he specially hand-sewed a set of exquisite bright red brocade wedding dress for Huang Rong. From the selection of fabric and the embroidery of patterns to the cutting of the pattern, he did everything by hand. Every stitch was full of his heart. The auspicious cloud and phoenix patterns were lifelike, and the bright red background was festive, dignified, and incomparably luxurious.

At the same time, she prepared a pair of Taoist protective swords and a pair of peerless blades. One was for warding off evil spirits, calming the mind, and protecting peace, while the other was for self-defense and fighting enemies, suitable for traveling the world. The combination of strength and gentleness suited Huang Rong's character, who was skilled in both literature and martial arts.

To please Huang Yaoshi and to show respect for his martial arts skills, Jiangnan even brought out two martial arts classics: the Xingyi Quan manual and the Taiji Quan manual, which he had created, compiled, studied, and repeatedly proofread.

The boxing manual is written in neat handwriting and has detailed annotations. It deciphers the essence of martial arts techniques and power generation, and fills in many details of the Qi and blood system. Its value is immeasurable, and it is exactly what this martial arts fanatic island master wanted.

A dazzling array of betrothal gifts were neatly displayed on the table, their gold and jade gleaming and their precious books and treasures all present. The gifts were of the highest quality and complete with proper etiquette, a top-tier standard that was difficult for ordinary weddings in the martial arts world to match.

Jiangnan stood with his head bowed, his breath steady, but his heart was filled with unease. He wondered if his unpredictable father-in-law would appreciate his sincerity and efforts.

Huang Yaoshi sat quietly behind his desk, his blue robe exuding an air of refined elegance and a handsome face, with an air of aloofness and detachment about him. His gaze swept lightly over the betrothal gifts on the table, his eyes revealing an inscrutable and unreadable emotion, devoid of joy or anger, making it impossible to discern his true feelings.

A moment of silence followed; no one spoke.

Jiangnan's heartstrings tightened more and more, and her anxiety grew stronger.

In reality, Huang Yaoshi already had his own judgment in his heart.

The betrothal gifts before him—gold and jade jewelry, martial arts manuals, and brocade wedding gowns—seemed dazzling and incredibly valuable, far exceeding the standards of most weddings in the martial arts world. But in the eyes of the Eastern Heretic, they were ultimately just ordinary treasures and worldly possessions.

The Huang family owns overseas islands, living a life of wealth and comfort, with no shortage of money and treasures. As his only daughter, Rong'er has been living a life of luxury and abundance since childhood. Ordinary and precious things in the world are no longer worthy of her attention, much less his.

If we only consider the value of the property, it would be far too easy and too cheap to think that he could marry his precious daughter with just these things.

Even though his beloved daughter, whose heart was already set on Jiangnan and whose affections were secretly given to him, and even though this young man was of excellent character, outstanding personality, and superb martial arts, Huang Yaoshi still felt that his precious daughter deserved the best of everything in the world and could not be easily entrusted with a mere betrothal gift.

But as his gaze swept over each betrothal gift, he saw the delicate and unique handcrafted patterns on the goldware, the meticulously polished details on the jade ornaments, the fine and flawless stitches on the wedding dress, and then looked at the two martial arts manuals with neat handwriting, detailed annotations, and no omissions. His displeasure and harshness gradually dissipated.

He had seen countless people and was very knowledgeable; he could see through the clues at a glance.

None of the betrothal gifts in the hall were purchased from the secular world; each and every one was crafted by the young man himself, who spent countless hours and devoted his heart and soul to its creation.

Treasures are easy to obtain and can be bought with a fortune, but a sincere heart and a heart full of sincerity are priceless and hard to find in this world.

Knowing that this young man was truly giving his all and treating him with sincerity, and was not just going through the motions, Huang Yaoshi had already tacitly approved of the marriage.

Jiangnan has passed this hurdle.

However, this proud and aloof master of Peach Blossom Island was always stubborn but soft-hearted and doted on his daughter. Even though he approved of the marriage, he was unwilling to give in easily and let the marriage be settled so easily.

He still wanted to deliberately test and probe the boy's character, to make him realize that marrying Rong'er was no easy task, and to make him forever remember how hard-won this marriage was, so that he could cherish it more and treat it with more care in the future.

A barely perceptible hint of helplessness and amusement flashed across Huang Yaoshi's eyes as he silently commented to himself.

Proposing marriage is a major life event, and ordinary people usually follow the proper etiquette and rituals, with matchmakers and witnesses. This young man, however, is reckless and straightforward. He doesn't know how to find a matchmaker, doesn't inquire about worldly procedures, and doesn't follow formalities. He goes to someone's house alone and proposes marriage rashly, acting recklessly and without any sense of propriety or etiquette.

This unrestrained, unconventional, and arrogant nature, along with his free-spirited and self-willed style of doing things, is quite reminiscent of my younger self!

Unrestrained and unconventional, unafraid of worldly conventions, daring to break rules and regulations, acting according to one's heart and will.

Of course, Huang Yaoshi realized that this kid really didn't understand much.

He kept this thought to himself, never revealing a trace of it, determined not to let this brat in front of him notice it at all.

He shook his head slightly and sighed softly, "In the end, even after my daughter gets married, I still have to help her with everything and take care of everything."

His words carried a hint of melancholy, a touch of doting affection, and an undeniable reluctance to part.

Others may think that the Eastern Heretic is carefree and ruthless, taking separation lightly, but as a father, his deep love for his child is always his weakness.

In fact, from the moment Jiang Nan bid farewell to Peach Blossom Island at the beginning of the year, Huang Yaoshi had already silently begun preparing for his daughter's wedding.

He personally handled and secretly prepared every aspect and detail, from wedding dress and accessories to wedding gifts, bridal chamber decorations, and wedding ceremony procedures. After more than half a year of painstaking effort and meticulous management, all the necessary items for the wedding have now been prepared and are basically complete.

Now, with the sincere betrothal gifts from Jiangnan, the wedding is complete in every detail, with all the formalities and items in order. Everything is ready, and the ceremony can be completed on an auspicious day.

A gentle breeze drifted through the window, stirring the books on the desk and dispelling the silence that filled the room.

Huang Yaoshi raised his eyes, gazing at the blooming peach grove outside the window. Watching the peach blossoms fluttering in the air, his eyes were gentle yet melancholic as he murmured softly to himself, "Aheng, do you see? Our daughter has finally grown up and is about to get married."

A few words, yet they contain a lifetime of longing and reluctance.

His wife, Feng Heng, died young, leaving him with a life of loneliness and solitude. His only thought and solace was his daughter, Huang Rong. Now that his young daughter has grown up and is about to get married and become a wife, she will no longer be the child who adores him every day. A thousand emotions surge within him, and a sense of melancholy lingers in his heart.

After a moment, Huang Yaoshi concealed all the tenderness and melancholy in his eyes, regaining his usual aloof and dignified demeanor as the island lord. He turned to look at Jiang Nan, who stood beside him with his head bowed, nervous and reserved, and spoke in a detached yet extremely solemn admonition:

"Young man, I hereby agree to this marriage. From this day forward, Rong'er will be your wife and your family."

"You must remember that she grew up on my Peach Blossom Island, was pampered and pure of heart. She is my daughter, Huang Yaoshi's daughter. She has no need to compromise or be subservient to others."

"For the rest of your life, if you treat her with unwavering kindness and gentleness, and protect her with peace and joy year after year, I will naturally have nothing to worry about and live a peaceful and carefree life."

"But if one day I hear or find out that you have treated her badly in the slightest, caused her the slightest grievance or sadness, betrayed her sincerity, or disgraced her reputation..."

At this point, Huang Yaoshi's tone suddenly turned cold, a sharp and intimidating glint flashed in his eyes, and his body was suddenly enveloped in the overwhelming pressure of the Five Greats, making the air instantly stagnant and heavy.

"Hmph, no matter how skilled you are in martial arts, no matter where you flee to, I will personally take action to seek justice and make you pay the price!"

The stern admonition resounded with weight, each word carrying immense weight, echoing in the study with an undeniable authority and awe.

Jiang Nan's heart skipped a beat. He quickly composed himself, bowed deeply, and with the utmost respect and sincerity, responded without the slightest hesitation:

"Senior...no, Uncle, don't worry!"

Once the tone of voice changed and the form of address was settled, it meant that the kinship was fully acknowledged.

"In this life, I will dedicate everything to protecting Rong'er. I will respect her, cherish her, pamper her, and love her, never betraying her devoted heart and the heavy trust placed in me by my uncle. I will never leave her, never forsake her, and will stay by her side year after year, never letting her suffer the slightest grievance or the slightest cold! If I break this vow, may heaven and earth punish me!"

The sincere vows were powerful and resounding, every word sincere and every sentence resolute.

Looking at the sincere and earnest appearance of the young man before him, Huang Yaoshi's sharp gaze softened, his imposing aura completely subsided, and the last trace of concern in his heart quietly dissipated.

The wind on Peach Blossom Island remained gentle and lingering, with petals fluttering down from the sky, as if silently celebrating this predestined union.