Chapter 602-The Wedding
Translator: ryangohsf
Editor: Nora
Yet another Chinese New Year’s Eve; it was familiar, yet not so.
The Nian Beast Event occured again, but it failed to catch Ouyang Shuo’s interested.
On the other hand, the red packet snatching event welcomed a peak. As expected, Bing'er once again obtained massive gains. This time, she had earned a rare accessory to the envy of everyone around her.
Moon Pendant (Dark Gold): 25% increase in cultivation speed, 5% increase in primordial energy forming speed.
Even Ouyang Shuo felt envious when he saw the description.
Amongst the bustle, there was a slight difference.
The talent pool in Shanhai City had grown larger and larger.
As the Chinese New Year approached, the civil servants and generals had all rushed back to Shanhai City. Firstly, they needed to continue the tradition of spending the Spring Festival with Ouyang Shuo. Secondly, the wedding of the Lord.
Since that was the case, they naturally could not come empty-handed.
Apart from Pei Mo, who needed to defend Withered Flower Stronghold, the other seven governors all managed to arrive. They brought the local specialties of their prefectures, such as the strange rock of Zhaoqing Prefecture and the sandalwood from Leizhou.
Ouyang Shuo had made his stance for the wedding clear. The officials should not fight with one another to specially pick up precious jewels and treasures from the people to show their respect and worship of the Lord.
Running their territories well was the best gift that they could give him.
After the feast at the Lord's Manor, the officials and generals went back to their residences to accompany their families.
Since the Aristocratic Families Rising information piece, the wilderness had started to change. Firstly, the families of the historical people had started to appear by their sides.
The current Xiao He, Du Ruhui, Luo Shixin, and others were no longer alone, and their families had arrived at their residences.
It was unavoidable. Whether they acted proactively or not, Xiao He and the others would be swept into more fights for interests. Similarly, as their families had entered the picture, these officials and generals had more of a sense of humanity.
The wilderness had started to become more and more real.
Numerous people and interests were intertwined in Shanhai City. Even Ouyang Shuo as the Lord could feel that his territory was becoming more unfamiliar as it grew in prosperity.
Some people said that if one stood too high and looked down, the crown of the tree would cover everything else.
Ouyang Shuo now was standing at such a height over the imperial city. As he looked out at the entire territory, he only saw the prosperous aspects.
But if one looked carefully, he could only see blurry and unfamiliar faces.
Based on olden rules, on the day before the wedding, Song Jia would stay at the Song Family manor, and they could only meet during the wedding. Meanwhile, Bing'er and Qing'er accompanied Ouyang Shuo.
Even Cui Yingyu went home to spend the new year after the Cui Family moved over to Shanhai City. The entire Nanjiang Governor-General Manor seemed to bustle with excitement, but in his eyes, it looked exceedingly cold.
"In the end, I am still left with my sisters?"
On this night, Ouyang Shuo looked up into the sky; his eyes contained an indescribable loneliness. At this moment, he suddenly felt a fear. A fear of time slipping away.
Time passed year after year. Ouyang Shuo would grow older and more worn out, and Bing'er would also grow older. He feared a certain matter; he feared that when she grew up into a teen, she might not rely on him as much.
Maybe at that time, he would only have the ice cold throne and the similarly cold Chixiao Sword by his side.
Seemingly sensing his thoughts, something spread into his mind.
Ouyang Shuo felt delighted. With a shining black light, the Tianmo Spear that had slept for close to three months suddenly appeared in his hands. Now, it appeared darker and more mysterious.
Upon closer inspection, it actually possessed a magical power that attracted one's attention to it.
When Ouyang Shuo saw that, he immediately checked out its stats.
Name: Tianmo Spear (High Grade God Weapon)
Hardness: 90
Sharpness:88
Toughness: 75
Specialty: Bloodthirst (Chance to absorb the blood of enemy to evolve)
Killing Move: Blood Domination (Inject the aura of the devil to give an all out blow. With the might of an overlord, the enemy will definitely die. Cooldown Time: one month.)
Evaluation: After receiving the nourishment of the blood essence of the devil, this weapon has mutated into a high grade god weapon. Drop your blood onto the Tianmo Spear to claim it, untradeable, cannot be dropped, can be evolved.)
After completely digesting the devil blood essence, the Tianmo Spear had evolved as expected. Its stats had risen greatly and a killing move was also born.
The description of ‘the enemy will definitely die’ was not actually a 100% matter. If the enemy was strong enough or used some methods, they could escape death.
If not, just with that, wouldn’t Ouyang Shuo be invincible? Apart from that, the one month cooldown period was headache inducing.
However, one point attracted his attention. This was the first time he saw the grade description of high grade god weapon.
Even the Chixiao Sword with the red dragon spirit did not have such a description.
With that, one could see that the Tianmo Spear was truly a pinnacle existence amongst god weapons.
"Long time no see buddy!"
Ouyang Shuo grasped the Tianmo Spear and muttered.
Hearing his words, the Tianmo Spear emitted a black light.
"Haha, good!"
Ouyang Shuo seemed to understand what it was saying. He was in a great mood, so he walked into the patio and started training in the Yang Family Spear Technique.
The moon hung high overhead, while the night sky was like water. Across the pitch black sky, fireworks rose up. Shanhai City was still bustling with the sounds of fireworks.
Meanwhile, the patio was completely silent.
Ouyang Shuo wielded the Tianmo Spear. Occasionally, rustling sounds would appear. In his hand, the spear was like a sentient being; the spear and the man were one.
Unknowingly, the Yang Family Spear Technique, Bajiquan, and the Halberd Technique he learned in his last life had merged into one, never to separate again.
Ouyang Shuo had unknowingly lost control of himself, as he continued to flourish his spear. As time went on, the sounds of the spear became even more hurried.
A full hour later, he finally stopped, and a smile appeared on his face.
In his ears, a system notification sounded out.
"System Notification: Congratulations player Qiyue Wuyi for entering a comprehension state and achieving the level of one with the spear. Player has mastered the spear technique through comprehension, forming a unique spear technique. Please name it!"
"Tianmo Spear Code!" Ouyang Shuo did not hesitate.
Only the Tiamo Spear could use this spear technique.
Undeniably, this Tianmo Spear Code was the highest level god grade technique. After the upgrade, Ouyang Shuo's mastery level did not rise. Instead, it fell back to the perform with ease level.
At this very moment, another system notification sounded out.
"System Notification: Congratulations player Qiyue Wuyi, spear technique mastered, officially promoted to spear grandmaster. Player awarded two thousand merit points and fifty thousand reputation points.”
Unknowingly, Ouyang Shuo's spear technique had reached such a high level.
Regretfully, he was not the first spear grandmaster. If not, he would have obtained the title of Home of Spearmanship.
After a night of fun and music, the bustling New Year's Eve was close to its end.
The 1st day of the new year was the heaven worshiping ceremony as usual.
Shanhai City's ceremony this year was even grander, larger, and more complicated.
It continued all the way till noon.
From the afternoon onward, it truly entered the time of the wedding.
The entire Shanhai City was decorated anew.
Large red patterns signifying happiness were hung across the streets and alleys. Drum or clock towers stood at each corner of the intersecting streets. Moreover, each tower had a stage.
All the troupes in the city were booked by the Nanjiang Governor-General House.
The incessant rehearsal notices spread out from all the stages, bustling with excitement.
All the people in the city were paying attention to this unparalleled wedding.
From the Song Manor to the imperial city, the entire street was covered in a red carpet, and the Guards Legion soldiers lined up at its side.
Not only that, the entire Shanhai City was closely guarded by both the city protection division and the Guards Legion. The Shanhai Guards and the Black Snake Guards were also on high alert in the shadows.
They aimed to ensure that the wedding tomorrow would have no disturbances.
As happiness arrived, the skies were naturally clear and beautiful.
Since yesterday, it was bright and sunny. The snow in the city had started to dissolve into small streams that flowed into the drains. When it reached the afternoon of the new year, there was no longer any sign of white.
The white city was drowned in a festive red.
In the afternoon, many people who came to watch the wedding arrived.
The first to arrive were the allies of Shanhai City.
Bai Hua, Feng Qiuhuang, Xunlong Dianxue, Sie Xiyun, Jianqi Leiyin, and the others had once again gathered in Shanhai City.
Each one of them brought rich gifts.
"Consonance City Bai Hua brings high grade agate beads."
……
"Xunlong City Xunlong Dianxue brings a string of East China Sea Pearls."
……
"Yingyu Floor Jianqi Leiyin brings a catty of premium incense."
……
The sounds of people reporting their gifts filled the ears.
Zisu had especially chosen a side hall to store these gifts.
The people who came on the first day were all the close friends of Ouyang Shuo.
On the second day, the true auspicious day, many people came over to send their congratulations.
The most important one was the imperial courts.
Xianyang, Luoyang, Dali, and Quanzhou; these four imperial cities all sent envoys to congratulate the Lianzhou Lord.
Only Ouyang Shuo could receive such a special honor; there would be no second person.
Dali and Quanzhou already had a close relationship with Shanhai City. The role of Nanjiang Governor-General was granted to him by these two imperial courts.
As for Xianyang and Luoyang, it was another mystery.
In truth, the part that other people envied were the envoys of these two imperial courts. Not because of other reasons, just that the owners of these imperial cities were Qin Shihuang and the Hanwu Emperor.
To be able to gain their recognition was highly difficult.
The reason behind all of this was Shanhai City’s possession of a large number of Qin and Han famous generals and officials.
Related to Qin Country, they had the likes of Wei Yang, Bai Qi, Wei Ran, Zhang Han, Wei Zhang, Jing Jian, and Bai Li Shi; related to the Han Dyansty they had the likes of Xiao He, Han Xin, Huo Qubing, Xia Houying, Huo Guang, and Zhao Ponu. Adding the people of these two periods together, it took up more than a third of the historical people in Shanhai City.
These two groups formed the core pillars of Shanhai City.
Shen Buhai had reported to Ouyang Shuo to be wary against them in case they truly form an alliance. If that happened, it would become a cancerous problem.
Regarding this matter, Ouyang Shuo could only quietly monitor the situation.
Four imperial courts sent imperial decrees to grant Song Jia the title of 1st grade lady.
During the Spring and Autumn Period, the wives of the Lord were titled Lady. Her position was the same as an empress of the future dynasties.
Song Jia receiving this title was similar to Ouyang Shuo getting the title of Lianzhou Lord.
Just that line was invaluable.
Regarding the late wedding with Song Jia, apart from the private reasons he had explained to her, there were also political considerations. He needed to establish her position in the territory and obtain the protection of the people.
For her to obtain this title far exceeded his expectations.
Amongst the congratulating people, apart from imperial court envoys, there were also players groups.
Amongst which, there were guild leaders and Lords who were invited and commoner Lords who arrived uninvited. Their arrival was said to come to congratulate him, but the real reason was to see whether they could form relationships with him.
The explosion of the Four Seas Bank instantly made Shanhai City the most popular existence.
Especially to commoner players, who had actively drawn themselves toward the camp of the Shanhai Alliance.
Ouyang Shuo's wedding was the best chance to get close.
These people naturally brought along extremely valuable gifts.
Ouyang Shuo welcomed everyone.
For the Four Seas Bank to attract so much savings, it had something to do with him being a representative figure of commoner players.
In the game, commoner players were the majority. Although they were not able to exchange for huge sums like aristocratic families, their total accumulations still reached an incredibly sizeable figure.
In terms of overall value, the commoners held the bulk of the money.
Ouyang Shuo aimed to use the Four Seas Bank to expand the influence of Shanhai City on the entire commoner player level.
Apart from these players, there were also some special presences.
Amongst these people were Zhan Lang and Xiong Ba. Although they did not personally come to congratulate him, they had still arranged for someone to bring rich gifts.
Everyone knew that the two alliances were sworn enemies. Under such circumstances, the two of them would still send gifts, filling people with many thoughts.
On the other hand, Ouyang Shuo did not think too deeply into the matter.