Eternal Life Starts as a Hunter

Chapter 613 - 190: Forgetting the Wedding Night, Tempering the Soul for a New Beginning

Li Yuan dismissed the maid, then sniffed the air before disrobing to enter the water.

...

...

Deep within the Xie Mansion.

Xie Jian’an swayed as he knelt before a thatched hut, cheeks flushed as he reported, "Ancestor, Xiaoyu’Er’s prospective groom has arrived. Your drop of Fourth Grade Essence Blood has also been used... Jian’an is here to request your guidance. Hiccup..."

A voice came from the hut, "Jian’an, you were once high-spirited in your youth, so why have you fallen to such a drunken and debauched state now? Is it because I manage the important affairs, making you discontent, that you resort to this childish defiance?"

Xie Jian’an hurriedly replied in panic, "Jian’an has no such intentions. Jian’an just felt tired and wanted to relax a bit, with absolutely no intent of debauchery..."

The voice in the hut turned stern, "Reeking of alcohol, filled with the scent of women, and you say it’s not debauchery?!"

"Ancestor... Jian’an was wrong, Jian’an was wrong!" Xie Jian’an became more frantic, kowtowing repeatedly.

Inside the hut, the voice of the elder softened, "Just as a fierce bird folds its wings before striking, a strong beast lowers its ears and crouches before pouncing.

Do you really think I cannot see through your pretenses?

But... I am already 451 years old, how much longer can I live?

In the future, everything will be yours anyway, why are you in such a hurry?"

Only then did Xie Jian’an lift his head to smile, "Indeed, Ancestor, I... I’m actually hiding it, it’s not debauchery at all.

Besides, with you around, Ancestor, the Xie Family has nothing to fear. Can’t I enjoy life a bit?

The hardships were all endured in my youth, now I want to enjoy myself."

Silence ensued within the hut for a moment.

Outside the hut, Xie Jian’an looked up and laughed. His laugh was neither innocent nor pleasant, resembling that of a proper Confucian suddenly turned into an old rogue.

The silence lasted several breaths.

The elder said, "I understand, you may leave. If anything happens to Xiaoyu’Er, I will act immediately."

"Thank you, Ancestor, thank you~ Ancestor!" Xie Jian’an quickly kowtowed, then added, "Ancestor, uh... Jian’an wishes to take a fifth wife this month, what do you think..."

The elder angrily retorted, "A fifth wife? More like a fiftieth wife?!"

Xie Jian’an questioned, confused, "Ancestor, you’ve misunderstood me, I clearly only have the Fourth Madam..."

The elder said, "And those you keep outside don’t count? Are you trying to change someone every day for 365 days a year?"

Xie Jian’an’s eyes lit up, he chuckled, "That sounds nice."

The elder furiously shouted, "Get out."

Xie Jian’an promptly rolled away.

Inside the hut, a white-haired elder watched the retreating silhouette through a gap in the curtain, his brow furrowing and relaxing alternately, contemplating unknown thoughts.

Soon after, his senses extended into the courtyard of the inner residence in the distance.

...

In the courtyard, moonlight spilled onto the scene, illuminating a youth’s strong yet flawless body; each muscle, every part, a masterpiece meticulously carved by the heavens.

Such a youth, in the eyes of women, was no different than a bewitching beauty in the eyes of men.

Li Yuan gazed at the Red Lotus petals floating on the water, finding them excessively delicate.

However, he was more intrigued than anything else.

Thus, he took the warm water mixed with Fourth Grade Essence Blood from the bath barrel and washed his body with it.

He washed very thoroughly, ensuring every bit of grime was removed, before drying himself and donning the clean robe the maid had brought.

The maid’s instructions were to "bring in the robe once he was done bathing."

If Li Yuan had failed the test, the ancestor would step in, and the maid wouldn’t need to bring the robe.

The white robe wrapped around a perfect, strong body that exuded a floral scent.

The youth’s eyes shone brilliantly, akin to the Taiyang God.

The maid involuntarily swallowed hard, a desire to look more closely at his handsome face and touch his strong muscles arose within her, but she quickly lowered her head, daring not to look at the youth, and hurried away.

...

Not far away.

Xie Yu’s initial vigilance transformed into genuine delight.

She smiled, turning to Fang Tong beside her, and said, "He’s done washing."

Fang Tong, equally cheerful, replied, "He really is done washing."

Xie Yu’s cheeks suddenly flushed.

After all, she was a slightly rebellious girl, and the thought of becoming a woman made her blush.

As "that Young Master Ximen passed the test," she began to imagine a future where she and this man lived and soared together.

"I’ll go find Father."

Xie Yu abruptly stood, unwilling to choose anymore.

Those stinky men on the stage were not to her liking.

She wanted only this one.

But before she could go far, she saw Xie Jian’an and the Fourth Madam approaching.

Xie Jian’an gestured towards her and said, "Xiaoyu’Er, go to sleep. Your stepmother and I will go meet Young Master Ximen."

"I..." Xie Yu showed a bit of bashfulness.

Xie Jian’an laughed, "What, afraid your stepmother will eat that handsome young man?"

At this absurd comment, Xie Yu and the Fourth Madam both turned their heads to stare at him, giving him a look that seemed to say, "Are you crazy?"

Xie Jian’an said, "I’ll meet him once more, and if I’m satisfied, the tournament might be called off.

Old Fang praised him so highly, I should at least take a look."

"Really?"

Xie Yu’s heart raced, eyes filled with joy.

But Xie Jian’an had already stepped away, and as he walked, he waved his hand, saying, "Madam, I’ve reconsidered, perhaps you shouldn’t come."

The Fourth Madam sighed, "Husband, are you truly afraid I’ll fall for our future son-in-law?"

Then, she smiled and said, "Earlier nothing was decided, so I had my opinions. Now if both you and the ancestor approve, I shall regard him as our son-in-law."