Vol. 1 - Ch. 99 - Marriage Alliance

As long as a villager married into the Chen family, the relationship between the village and the Chen family would inevitably become closer.

Chaotic Burial Mountain was neither too big nor too small. With this connection, the villagers' lives would improve in every way.

The Chen family had many martial artists, some even in the Blood Coagulation realm. Among those who came to announce the marriage alliance, several were martial artists from the family.

Although most villagers were unclear about martial arts' distinctions, they understood that this was already the limit of what they could hope for. It was said that powerful martial artists could even hunt wild beasts—creatures vastly different from ordinary ones. Just a single piece of their meat could sustain someone for an entire day.

If villagers married into the Chen family and bore children, wouldn't those children become martial artists in the future? Even if they bore the Chen family name, their mothers would hail from the village. Should these children achieve greatness, wouldn't they lend a hand to their maternal kin?

No matter the perspective, this marriage alliance was an excellent opportunity for the village—both now and in the future.

Once the Chen family announced their intentions, many villages immediately agreed and inquired about the exact date of the alliance. Others responded positively after a brief deliberation. Except for a few villages with dwindling populations and no eligible women, most welcomed the proposal.

The Chen family scheduled the event three days later. Upon hearing the news, clansmen eagerly began preparing for the upcoming alliance.

In this world, one became an adult at sixteen. The Chen family had many eligible adults, most of whom were from the Qing generation. Due to past family chaos, these individuals hadn't yet married. With so many villages now participating, the shortage of suitable matches shouldn't pose an issue.

…

"What? Your father wants you to marry into the Chen family?"

In Changliu Village, a young man stared at the girl before him, disbelief etched on his face.

"Yes," she replied, her voice tinged with melancholy. "My father says the Chen family is now a major power in Chaotic Burial Mountain, and he wants me to marry into it."

"Cai Sheng, what should I do?"

Her eyes pleaded with him, but the young man, pale and stricken, remained silent.

He had once asked her father for her hand in marriage, but his lack of wealth had sealed his rejection. Now, learning that the girl he loved would marry into the Chen family left him utterly dejected.

The Chen family's dominance was well-known throughout the villages. Cai Sheng, an ordinary villager with no martial prowess, had no chance against them. Even the girl's father had made his decision—what could he possibly do?

His silence lingered as the girl turned and left. The chill in the air mirrored the coldness that gripped his heart.

"Damn it!" he finally cried, his fists clenching. "Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river... I, Zhang Tiezhu, will never give up!"

…

Three days later, a new pavilion stood before the Chen family residence. Though modest in construction, it bore the protection of the Divine Tree's power, standing out against the snowy landscape.

From every village, families brought forth eligible girls of marriageable age. To ensure fairness, Chen Xingzhen personally questioned each girl. He asked if they had someone they cared for and whether they came willingly.

The Chen family could have ignored such considerations, given their strength. However, for the sake of harmony between the clan and the villages, it was better to avoid coercion. With so many villages participating, there was no shortage of willing candidates.

During his inquiries, Chen Xingzhen noticed subtle cues that revealed unspoken truths. Despite their denials, the eyes and movements of some girls betrayed their feelings.

This, however, was just a minor episode.

More than one hundred girls arrived from the various villages, while the Chen family had only about ten suitable bachelors. Were it not for age restrictions and the personal preferences of individuals like Chen Qinghe, some might have forced matches for the sake of alliances.

…

"Qingmeng, what are you looking at?"

Chen Qinghe glanced at his cousin, who seemed fixated on something.

Following his gaze, Chen Qinghe spotted a girl with a long braid. Though shy in demeanor, her sturdy, muscular frame set her apart.

"Qingmeng, do you like her?"

Without hesitation, Chen Qingmeng nodded. "My mother says only strong girls are worth marrying. When I choose a wife, it should be someone like her!" He paused, his tone resolute. "Wait a couple of years—I’ll find someone even stronger!"

Chen Qinghe didn't argue. Most of the gathered girls were similarly strong, and the clansmen seemed to prefer this type. Petite girls were often overlooked entirely.

But Chen Qinghe couldn't help feeling uneasy. Girls like these reminded him of his mother, and the thought of marrying someone so similar made him shiver.

…

Outside, the matchmaking proceeded smoothly. Some clansmen had already chosen partners, while others reached agreements after brief conversations. Once matches were confirmed, Chen Xingzhen ensured that the chosen brides were escorted to the Chen family estate to strengthen ties.

Unselected girls were also accompanied home under the watchful eyes of the Chen family's martial artists. Though the weather was harsh, it was crucial to ensure their safety from wild beasts lurking in the wilderness.

After confirming the matches, the next step was setting a date for the weddings. Though the process from selection to marriage was brief, the ceremonies would be treated with utmost importance.

The family carefully chose auspicious dates and sought the Divine Tree's blessing for each union. Only then would the marriages be considered legitimate within the Chen family.

The weddings were scheduled a few days later, allowing time for both the villages and the Chen family to prepare. Despite the disparity in power between the two parties, the Chen family ensured their betrothal gifts were generous, reflecting their respect and the value they placed on these alliances.

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