Chapter 3

As the two walked out of the Shui family's residence, the onlookers cast mocking glances at them.

They had heard bits and pieces of what had happened in the main hall of the Shui family, but hearing and seeing were two different things.

The moment they saw Chu Xingyun with Shui Liuxiang, they all laughed, their laughter filled with disdain.

A toad and a frog, how fitting!

A good-for-nothing like Chu Xingyun should indeed be paired with a lowborn like Shui Liuxiang!

"Pay them no mind, let's go home." Chu Xingyun gave Shui Liuxiang a faint smile, took her hand, and faced the crowd's gossip and cold words head-on, without the slightest hint of evasion.

Chu Xingyun's residence was not within the West Wind City, but in the Chu Town outside the city.

Though it was called a residence, it was more like a small courtyard, not very spacious, with only a few rooms, empty and desolate, with no servants or maids in sight.

Sixteen years ago, the Chu family was not like this; they were a prominent family in West Wind City, even the city lord's residence had to show them respect.

Unfortunately, good times did not last long. Not long after Chu Xingyun's birth, the Chu family suffered an assassination, with heavy casualties. Chu Xingyun's mother also disappeared.

To find his wife, Chu Xingyun's father left West Wind City and never returned, his fate unknown.

After that, the Chu family began to decline, and they had to move to Chu Town. The family's many properties were taken over by others, citing Chu Xingyun's young age as the reason.

In the end, only this courtyard was left to Chu Xingyun, and his life was extremely impoverished.

The title of Young Master was in name only!

"I left in a hurry, so I didn't have time to clean up properly." Chu Xingyun glanced at the overgrown courtyard and scratched the back of his head, a bit embarrassed.

"Brother Yun is willing to marry me, I am overjoyed and wouldn't care about these things." Shui Liuxiang smiled, her words coming from the heart. As long as she could be with Chu Xingyun, no matter how hard it was, she would not complain.

As they just entered the courtyard, a thin young man walked towards them, carrying a large rooster. His face was bruised and his arms had several blood marks.

"Young Master, you're finally back. Today is your big day, so I specially stole a rooster to prepare a meal and celebrate for you." The thin young man laughed, but his face twisted in pain as he grinned.

"Xiao Hu, why do you have to do this?" Chu Xingyun couldn't be happy, and instead sighed.

This thin young man was named Chu Hu, who had grown up in the Chu family and lived with Chu Xingyun.

Today, when Chu Xingyun woke up, he found Chu Hu gone, and the entire courtyard was empty and lifeless.

At that time, Chu Xingyun thought Chu Hu couldn't bear it anymore and had left the Chu family to find another way out.

But to his surprise, Chu Hu had not left. He heard about Chu Xingyun's proposal to the Shui family and specifically went to steal a rooster to celebrate for him.

The injuries on his body, without needing to be said, Chu Xingyun could guess were from the theft.

"Master, if it weren't for the Chu family taking me in, I would have starved to death on the streets long ago. This little hardship is nothing. For Master, I would do anything, even if it means facing fire and water." Chu Hu said, and was about to kneel.

Chu Xingyun quickly held him up, his eyes filled with emotion, and said with a smile, "Today is a happy day, don't say such inauspicious things. Quickly kill the rooster, and let's have a good meal."

"Alright!" Chu Hu nodded, showing a simple smile, and immediately took the rooster to the kitchen.

As for Chu Xingyun and Shui Liuxiang, they didn't idle either. They tidied up the courtyard, moved out tables and chairs, and hung red lanterns at the door. Though simple, the courtyard was filled with a festive atmosphere.

After a satisfying meal, night had already fallen, and a full moon hung in the night sky, casting a gentle moonlight.

Since today was their wedding day, logically, Chu Xingyun should have spent the night with Shui Liuxiang, consummating their marriage.

But after dinner, Shui Liuxiang blushed and rushed into the room, locking the door.

This scene made Chu Xingyun somewhat amused and exasperated.

He knew that Shui Liuxiang was sincere in her feelings for him, but she was only a fifteen-year-old girl, not yet ready for such intimate matters.

"Master." At this moment, Chu Hu, who had finished washing the dishes, followed Chu Xingyun's gaze to Shui Liuxiang's room and immediately showed a meaningful smile, saying, "I remember there's a spare key in the warehouse. Shall I get it for you?"

"You rascal, am I that kind of person!" Chu Xingyun gave Chu Hu a stern look and said in a low voice, "You sly one, always thinking about these things. Go to sleep quickly."

"Okay." Chu Hu pouted and quickly returned to his room.

Watching Chu Hu leave, Chu Xingyun shook his head in exasperation, but this atmosphere made him feel very comfortable, giving him a sense of home.

Back in his room, Chu Xingyun did not immediately go to sleep but sat cross-legged on the bed.

He took a deep breath, and his closed eyes suddenly opened. A golden light emerged from his brow, forming a small jade the size of a baby's fist, which fell into Chu Xingyun's hand.

Looking at the familiar jade, Chu Xingyun smiled wistfully, still finding it hard to believe.

Before today, he clearly remembered that he was cultivating on the peak of Tianling Mountain, about to step into the Imperial Realm, when a long spear pierced through his chest, piercing his heart.

The person who did this was Chu Xingyun's sworn brother, one of the Ten Martial Emperors, Emperor Xiaoxingtian, also known as Emperor Aoyang.

He and Chu Xingyun met in the Endless Nether Sea, where Xiaoxingtian was surrounded by countless powerful enemies and was in a desperate situation. Chu Xingyun saved him, helped him break the siege, and treated his injuries.

From then on, they became sworn brothers, sharing the same ideals, and together they roamed the True Spirit Continent, entering secret realms, killing powerful enemies, and seizing secret treasures. Their bond was deeper than that of blood brothers.

But in the end, Xiaoxingtian betrayed Chu Xingyun, secretly attacking him, causing his death!

Even in his last moments, Chu Xingyun found it hard to believe this fact. When darkness enveloped him, he opened his eyes again, only to find himself back at sixteen.

Thinking of this, Chu Xingyun fell into deep reminiscence.

He remembered that in his previous life, after recovering from a serious illness, he rushed to the Shui family to propose to Shui Qianyue. The result was not only rejection by the Shui family but also severe injuries inflicted by Shui Chongxian, who expelled him from West Wind City.

At that time, Chu Xingyun almost felt like he was going to die. It was Shui Liuxiang who helped him heal, found him a place to stay, and took care of him until he recovered.

It was during that time that Chu Xingyun fell deeply in love with Shui Liuxiang. They left West Wind City, changed their names, and wandered in the Flowing Cloud Imperial Dynasty, living a life of hardship.

Though life was hard, they had each other, and their faces were filled with happy smiles.

But good times did not last long. They were unfortunately attacked by a beast tide, and Shui Liuxiang died protecting Chu Xingyun, killed by a monster's claws.

That scene, Chu Xingyun would never forget, deeply etched in his mind.

After surviving a near-death experience, Chu Xingyun lived on.

Despite his low talent, he roamed the entire True Spirit Continent, experiencing many adventures, and eventually became the mighty Sky Tyrant Martial Emperor.

A thousand years seemed like a dream. Since heaven has given me another chance, I will not let the regrets of the past happen again! Chu Xingyun clenched his fists, making a silent vow in his heart. In his mind, two familiar yet strange figures slowly appeared.