Chapter 1625 1618: Our Su Mei
Cao Cuifen's cheeks blushed; Liu Suyin and her had many of their firsts together and had subtly become great friends on par with sisters despite their generational differences. Often than not, while traveling together recently, the two would share the same bed both with and without Wei Wuyin. There was no doubt that if Liu Suyin wasn't at a critical point in her cultivation, the two would have tackled the thrilling challenge of conquering the Dragon Yang Pillar together and while failure was almost certain, the act itself would be joyful and blissful.
The alluringly reddish blush of her cheeks was a silent indicator of her agreement to that arrangement. Wei Wuyin was satisfied with this and slightly stretched his body. Before leaving, he returned to bed under Cao Cuifen's bashful expression and stole a kiss or two. They immersed themselves in each other's warmth and touch. Contentment flowed throughout Cao Cuifen's heart. The simple gesture, the lingering warmth, and the gentle caress of her hair and cheek confirmed once again that Wei Wuyin's feelings for her were far beyond just being his woman. While she didn't have the title of wife, she felt like one every moment she stayed with Wei Wuyin, and not an ordinary one, but one that was beloved for her heart, soul, and mind-not just her body.
Wei Wuyin left some words of encouragement behind and reminded her of some of the alchemical products that he had transferred to her ring while she slept that she could bestow to Grey Rose for any accomplishments or simply because she was an excellent maidservant recently. Then, he left the captain's quarters.
Just as he was stepping out, he waved his hand and a swirl of clear light enveloped him briefly before he was outfitted in his signature attire. A set of black robes with light and dark silver outlines and trim, outer for the Neo-Dawn Alchemic Saint, and inner for the Ascendant Emperor, designed to emulate the unity of an Alchemist's flowy air and prestigious status, Martial Artist's strong presence, and an Imperial's inviolable dignity.
Wei Wuyin's arms and legs shone brightly as light-grey metallic vambraces and greaves formed. The vambraces had a large inlaid clear jewel in each, designed in a similar pattern as the Alchemic Stars of Transcendent Purity. Each vambrace had nine lines wrapped around them, each matching the nine belts on Little Defiant. The outer robes majestically fluttered without wind and had six dragons as lifelike, vibrant, and stunning as could be encircling a Solar Star with seven belts and two halos. These dragons weren't animatedly active, but they exuded a liveliness that made them each feel as if they were bestowed spirituality by the heavens; they exuded an indescribable presence. At his waist, a saber within a jet-black scabbard decorated with eighteen colorful dragons flowing majestically and lovely across the surface as if they were living within an internal world.
Wei Wuyin had recently designed this attire after defeating Sage Springfield and used some time to refine the Essence of War to craft them. Unlike before, each item rivaled a peak Mystic-World armament with overflowing law aura within them.
He touched his forehead subconsciously; before he decided to enter his closed-door seclusion to reach the peak, he had wanted to craft a pseudo-Evercrown to unite with Su Mei and better enhance the synergy between their energies for a few prepared contingencies for this upcoming event. However, he no longer needed to rely on that tool to do so. The transformation of his Astral Souls, specifically Eden, and Little Defiant was enough to achieve that with his own strength.
Still, he thought it would be cool to have a crown to match his Ascendant Emperor status. 'I'll just have to create one later. Perhaps I'll use Little Defiant's essential solar energies to craft it instead of relying on the Essence of War.' As he thought this, he found himself on the deck of the Minor Elysium.
He immediately caught sight of the valiant Su Mei. She had noticed him. And while she rarely smiled with her lips, her eyes revealed the hint of a smile that was extraordinary enough to induce a heartfelt shudder.
With a smile of his own, calm and relaxed, he waltzed up to her and gazed at the sky.
"Anxious?" Wei Wuyin asked.
"I am," Su Mei replied straightforwardly and honestly.
"Good," Wei Wuyin replied. "Anxiety means you understand the dangers involved. When it all unfolds, you will have a readied heart and an expectant, guarded, and observant mind."
Su Mei slightly nodded in deep agreement. She gazed at Wei Wuyin's unearthly handsome side profile that could send hearts to the moon and leave them there unforgivingly, before turning her head and lifting her chin to observe the vast stars alongside Wei Wuyin. The two stood there in silence, observing the vast starry skies and Sky Heart Galaxy that was undeniably gorgeous despite its recent chaos.
While she was unaware of the dangers that Wei Wuyin described or what they could entail, she trusted Wei Wuyin wholeheartedly, considering he had given her a warning not to carelessly advance since the beginning of her footsteps in the Astral Core Realm, and that there was continuous signs of numerous preparations made, she understood that Wei Wuyin was afraid of a disastrous outcome. He was afraid that she would lose her life in this tribulation. That she would leave him...for good. As someone who had just fought against an Enlightened Sage and killed them by relying on a peak Mortal Realms cultivation base, the fact that he still felt so meant this was far too important to him.
She was too important to him.
Several dozen minutes passed as they stood shoulder to shoulder, silently observing the stars without a single word exchanged, yet the sounds of their breathing were in harmony and their hearts, one light and one powerful, were in perfect sync. This wasn't done consciously by either of them, and neither of them knew this was the case.
Their thoughts were unknowable by just their expressions.
"I will not leave," Su Mei said unprompted. Her words were as firm as divine steel and as tenacious as could be.
"I know," Wei Wuyin responded without skipping a beat. "Let's travel this extraordinarily vast world together, not just as mortals, but as Ascended beings. We can see more fascinating things and face many other challenges-together."
"Mn," Su Mei nodded. However, after a few seconds, she added as if a simple sound of affirmation wasn't enough: "We will."
Wei Wuyin and Su Mei's minds began to flow in reverse.
They both recalled their origins. They both grew up with different lives and circumstances.
Wei Wuyin was a young master of a clan in a small city, raised with wealth and prestige tethered to his existence, and he often acted as he pleased within reason as taught by his older brother. He had saved Du Ling out of a whim yet similarly fell in love with a demon of the mountains.
Su Mei was an ordinary farm girl born into a family that worked on a small farm. They didn't own their farm. They worked for the owner, and they were somewhat poor. As she grew older, she had been raised by the stories of the Myriad Yore Continent and told of the extraordinary bearing of cultivators. She was given the fortune of encountering a cultivator from a reputable and renowned sect, the largest in the country, and she had attracted his attention.
They both left their family shortly after. The former watched as they perished one by one while the latter was pushed to being married off for benefits from this cultivator. In truth, she was turned into a mistress, and while she had obtained his favor, her treatment amongst the others was horrendous.
They experienced their lowest points in life, and while the intensity was different in the eyes of others, the inescapable reality remained the same.
Until one day when they met, a young silver-eyed young man saw within the young black-eyed young woman a light that resembled his own. The young man might never be able to escape his reality, but that young woman...he gave her the opportunity to do so.
Their lives changed from thereon.
Su Mei recounted all of Wei Wuyin's actions and path thus far. How he had started as a tiny young master of Red Dove City who had lost his family and wealth, slowly elevating himself above the filth and dangers of the brutality of a cultivator's path and obtaining his vengeance. From there, he forged a legacy that stretched far beyond that tiny continent, reaching planets, starfields, stellar regions, and now entire galaxies.
All without the support of some master or powerful background from the beginning. He had reached an unprecedented unrivaled point where he could, as a mortal, slay a peak Mystic Ascendant Realm Ascended being in one-on-one combat. All using his own efforts, will, and intelligence.
It was nothing short of astounding to bear witness to. Moreover, while he had changed in some aspects, the Wei Wuyin that she remembered, the one that offered her that hand, had never once changed in terms of principles, beliefs, and breadth of mind. Even with all his power and wealth, he didn't let it change his heart. An indescribably difficult task.
He loved with all his heart. He acted with every ounce of his being on every task he challenged. He existed by the principles and conscience that he had since they had first met. Despite his numerous lovers, he wasn't neglectful or dismissive of any. Unlike that pathetic trash, he...
"..." Su Mei's heart felt an inexplicable twang. Her bright, limpid eyes dimmed slightly.
"You shouldn't think too deeply about the past. What matters most is our future," Wei Wuyin suddenly said.
"...!" Su Mei's head turned to observe a smiling Wei Wuyin. She instinctively said, "You...don't under-" But she halted herself mid-sentence, and then went silent. When they first met, she wasn't in an emotional position to think of forming another relationship or being with anyone. In fact, she was comfortable being single for the rest of her entire life.
There was even a time when she dreaded the thought of Wei Wuyin entering her tent during the night while they were on off-site expeditions, such as hunting down the Violet Moon Sect, especially due to the bad reputation of such a handsome Core Disciple plucking the yin of women for his own cultivation. While this was false rumors spread to justify his rapid rise and an attempt to harm his reputation, she had believed it for a brief spell. Additionally, she had readied herself for such an event and reasoned that he had allowed her to escape a horrible fate so that was enough to give herself if he wanted.
She later learned that Wei Wuyin had a rule to never sleep with his subordinates and there was never an account of that happening. Moreover, he didn't cultivate any insidious yin-snatching method, and this could be instantly proven by observing his extremely refined and consistent qi at the time. She didn't know why at the time, but she felt disappointed then.
It was only after Wei Wuyin had left the sect and was rumored to have perished outside that her feelings came out alongside the truth in her heart. True despair pounded against her soul, but she knew that Wei Wuyin wouldn't perish so easily, so she searched and waited.
She waited.
And waited.
And waited.
A decade later, when he returned with that signature calm smile and silver irises that shone with the brilliance of the cosmos, she felt that her breath had returned in her lungs. Since then, she had decided to follow him across the world as long...as he was willing to accept her.
Now, decades later, that feeling of breathing hid an even harsher emotion.
Looking at Wei Wuyin who was doing his all to ensure that she would survive alongside him for their future, spending decades with her in his heart, she couldn't explain the emotion, but she was aware of its suffocating intensity. If only they had met before.
If only they had met while she was pure.
If only the young master and the farm girl had met by chance in some city in some timeline, exchanging a curious look and a radiant smile.
If only...
She gently touched the hilt of her saber. Faintly, her Saber Intent pulsed within her heart. The Saber Intent born from that will to stay, to follow him to the end, protect him and that preserved sense of self, and cut apart all obstacles that dared to stand in her way-that dared to stand in their way.
Wei Wuyin lifted his left brow curiously, "Hm?" Just like all those years ago from his perspective, he refused to invade the mental privacy of others using Eden's powers and senses. He had decided against doing so to Mei Mei and Su Mei was no different. Besides some clear-cut emotions, he was unaware of Su Mei's inner thoughts, only her determination slowly solidifying with a sharp, all-encompassing will.
Su Mei inhaled heavily and then slowly expelled her turbid and complex thoughts. She turned her body completely, facing Wei Wuyin directly, her spine straight and her eyes forward.
Wei Wuyin felt the shift in her mentality and replied in kind, turning to face her and stare at her. He could tell she wanted to say something. Their gazes met.
"Lord We-Wei Wuyin, may I speak freely?" Su Mei asked.
Wei Wuyin was taken aback slightly as she referred to him by his actual name.
"You may," he granted her permission.
Su Mei nodded.
"Then, may I be selfish?"
"Always," Wei Wuyin's lips tugged into an intrigued smile. Su Mei had never once acted selfish since they began their journey together, always traveling forward by his will, and abiding by his principles. She dutifully acted and with an impeccable demeanor. She was always the steady rock that reminded him that he could never and should never do anything to disappoint her. After all, that day, at the gates of the Scarlet Solaris Sect, she had decided to abandon everything to follow him. That day was his darkest period as he was living without remorse and felt incomparably lonely, especially after learning that his home had turned against him and the woman he cared about was Dao Companions with someone else. Even Du Ling had moved on with a fulfilled life.
Despite all that, she decided to join him without hesitation.
If Su Mei wanted to be selfish, he wouldn't dare deny her that right.
After a brief period of silence, Su Mei stared into Wei Wuyin's eyes and said:
"I have to say this at least once in my life. I feel that I will regret it if I don't say it now."
That last sentence gave Wei Wuyin a strange feeling. It was as if he had once said those very words.
Su Mei continued with a steady voice, her eyes resolved to the limit:
"I will never leave you, Wei Wuyin. No matter how far you go or who you become or what we face. I will always remain by your side until my soul no longer exists. I promise you."
"..." Wei Wuyin felt his heart tremble.
"So please..." Her eyes suffused with faint wetness as her voice softened, "...don't abandon me. I want to always remain by your side."
Wei Wuyin was rendered speechless for a long while, gazing into those pure black eyes that were as gentle as water and as strong as steel. Hearing it and knowing it were two very different things, and this was the first time in his life that Su Mei had stated her intentions so clearly. How was this remotely selfish?
Perhaps he was the selfish one.
"Su Mei, I-" He was about to speak, his tone slightly quivering, when Su Mei interrupted him. She wasn't done.
"I know I'm not pure; I know I'm your subordinate; I know that you have many lovers already, and it doesn't have to be now. It doesn't even have to be in the next ten thousand or a hundred thousand or a million years...I just hope one day, you'll see me as more."
"..." Wei Wuyin fell silent. This lasted for quite a few minutes. Then, and only then, did Wei Wuyin reveal an incomparably radiant smile infused with incredible joy.
"And here I thought that after you ascend, and I ask you for your hand in marriage, you might reject me out of obligation or some other reason. What did I have to fear with those words just now?" Wei Wuyin told his truest thoughts and felt as if a heavy mountain had lifted from his heart. "Seems like you already removed every reason to say no. So I won't hold back.
"Su Mei, my Su Mei: Will you do me the incomparable honor of becoming your husband? To be together not just in this moment, but until our souls perish, and for every moment we have breath in our lungs from here on. Whether that be minutes, hours, decades, or eons."
Su Mei's eyes widened as the situation slowly dawned on her. While she had resolved herself to say those words, she did not believe that this outcome would ever occur. Moreover, her eyes observed Wei Wuyin's every word and emotion, and she realized that everything he had was the truth. She almost believed that this was one of her dreams, circulating her Mental Incantation to disperse any illusion or awaken her from a vivid dream but nothing changed.
Despite it all, she still replied with the decisiveness of Su Mei. There wasn't any urgency or fear in her voice:
"Yes, I will."
Just as Wei Wuyin was about to open his arms and embrace Su Mei, she moved with shocking quickness, burying herself into his chest, wrapping her arms around his waist, and holding onto him tightly. After a while, she lifted her head to find those unforgettable silver eyes and saw that smile that caused her heart to race.
Wei Wuyin didn't say anything. Underneath the starry skies, he leaned in and, for the first time in both of their lifetimes, stole a kiss from her lips. As they did so, the starry skies seemed slightly brighter and the entire universe seemed slightly smaller.
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[Author's Note:I was originally going to title it 'My Su Mei'.
But this Su Mei isn't Wei Wuyin's. She is ours! The one who confesses, not the one who gets confessed to. <3 The Ride Or Die Su Mei.
Sometimes, Canon Events/Fixed Points gotta happen. Lol. I hope this one becomes one across all of time and space. (Nods)]
Erdiul's Note: Yeah, can't believe I didn't notice the difference between the two WW's from the previous chapters. It's so obvious when you think about it.