695: I Choose to Believe

I Choose to Believe

All of the elders balked at her suggestion while her husband cracked a rare smile. 

"Mm, my dear that's perfect! It's just like when I had to fight my Father-in-Law for your hand!" he told her. 

She looked at him lovingly, bending over to give him a kiss. 

"Right! How exciting! I wonder how much fighting I'll get to do."

Seeing the scene of this loving couple, all of the elders were practically speechless. Their efforts in pushing for marriage had backfired. 

The king could see them trying to think of a way out but his wife sealed the deal. 

"Mm, a nice spar should do it. And we can do it by the same rules as before, it won't end until one of us surrenders."

Hearing that, the others let out a defeated look before quickly replacing it with a smile. They had no choice but to go along with it.

"If that is what the two of you have decided, then we have no right to interfere."

"I'm sure that her suitors will be more than willing to battle the Godfist herself."

"Yes, it would be a great honor for them."

Seeing them like this, Xing Long raised his hand to them all, motioning them to stand. 

"Since that matter has been settled, I'm sure that all of you are tired from the journey. Please, I will have people guide you to your rooms. We can convene later for dinner, my daughter and son will be there so we can tell them the news during that." 

They all stood up, cupping their fists and bowing. 

"Then we shall take our leave for now." 

One by one they left the room until it was just the king, Xing Long, and his wife, Xing Huang. It was quiet between them before she finally said something. 

"That's good, wasn't it?" 

She looked at him.

He gazed up at her and grinned. 

"It was perfect, seeing all of those old foxes after their plan had been foiled was so satisfying. You are the best wife anyone could ask for. You'll be the best mother too once Juren and Hou'er find out."

"Oh dear, stop it. I couldn't just let our daughter be used as a political piece."

"No, you deserve all of the praise." 

He stood up to kiss his wife and in the privacy of that room, the flirting continued. 

Dinner followed and the announcements were made. Both Xing Hou and Xing Juren were there, dressed in more traditional clothes. The young girl could barely hold in a smile as she heard the news. It was only after that she went off to embrace her parents. 

"Thank you so much!"

The two of them were taken aback by the sudden hug but returned it with a warm embrace. 

"Of course, we're your parents after all!" Xing Huang replied. 

Their daughter then looked at them with a hopeful face, her eyes grew as big as she could make them. 

"Then for the Frostflame Bear King, Can I-"

Before she could even finish, her father shut her request down immediately. 

"No, delaying that marriage is one thing but I can't allow you to join the subjugation force. That decision is final."

He spoke in a stern voice, even looking at her directly to push his point forward. 

Seeing this, Xing Hou just looked down in disappointment. 

"It was worth a try, I guess", she muttered. 

"And don't even try to sneak out", he added.

"Alright, alright, I won't, I promise."

Having this little exchange, Xing Long relaxed a bit, showing a softer expression.

"I know that both of you are worried but I'm sure everything will turn out fine. Besides. it won't be long until the subjugation force leaves. It'll be just a few days before you begin the Ten-Year Trial. With your grandfather there, success is guaranteed, believe in me."

He placed both hands on her shoulders, doing his best to ease her anxiety. 

Xing Hou quietly looked at him and nodded.

"Alright, I won't push this any further."

"Good, it's getting late now and I'm sure that we're all a bit tired from tonight's dinner. Seems like a good time to rest, lord knows I need some sleep."

He tiredly chuckled before patting both of his children on the back and turning to leave. Both Xing Juren and Xing Hou bowed before heading off in a different direction. 

"What do you think?" she asked her brother, "Do you think she'll be fine?" 

Xing Juren looked at her, taking the time to think. 

"I doubt she'll die. Someone as outstanding as her would have survived. Even in the worst circumstances, I choose to believe that she's alive."

"Alright then, I guess I won't try to sneak out then."

"You... you really were going to sneak off behind our parent's backs. If they had found out, I'm pretty sure both Father and Mother would've run off to chase after you."

Xing Hou laughed at his words. 

"Ahahahah, you're probably right."

"In any case, your Ten-Year Trial will start soon, are you feeling nervous?" he asked her. 

"Nervous? Maybe. I feel more excited if anything. I can explore the world, I'm free for ten years. Imagine the adventures I'd have or the people I'd meet. It'd be like the stories you tell me or the ones that Ming Yue has shared."

There was a smile on her face as she said this, no doubt she was looking forward to this. It was a like a caged bird that would soon fly free. The excitement was hard to contain. 

Xing Juren smiled at this display of her sister, patting her on the shoulder. 

"As your brother, I'm proud of you, you know that right?" he told her. 

"I'd be worried if you weren't. You're such a training nut, sometimes I wonder when you have time for other things."

He chuckled at her words before stopping at the doors to his room. 

"Alright, you go sleep for tonight, you should ready yourself for what's to come."

"I will."

Soon, it was just her but she retired to her bed as well. 

The following days were quite bustling. Those who were part of the subjugation force had been dueling one another for the position of leader. The result of that ended with a warrior of the Dugu Clan, Dugu Jian, a body cultivator who fought with a pair of maces. 2

The power of each strike was enough to create strong gusts of wind, enough to knock people on their feet. 

Unfortunately, Dugu Jian among many others could not beat Xing Huang, the queen and the Godfist. As her title states, she fought with her fists, wearing gauntlets like Xing Juren. Each fight ended in her victory and her opponent pummeled black and blue. 

All that she had in response was a cheerful smile and some words of encouragement.

"You're a few years too young but you can always try again!"

It took her no less than two days to defeat all of her daughter's suitors, and not one of them lasted more than a hundred moves. 

And soon enough it was time for the subjugation force to go. 

Everyone gathered at the gates to see them off. Among them, Xing Long and his family waited by the gates. The king cleared his throat and made a short speech. 

"This will be a dangerous journey but one with an honorable purpose! To protect our home, you warriors challenge a beast that threatens us all! This comes from my heart and the hearts of our people, we will pray for your succ-"

Just as he finished, the gates suddenly opened. Everyone turned to look, wondering what was there or who rather. 

Looking ahead, Xing Hou had a surprised look on her face. 

"Ming Yue?"

Indeed it was her, still somewhat beaten and roughed up but she carried the corpse of the Frostflame Bear King over her shoulder.

pqdm.com