“Look, what’s that?”
Just then, someone with sharp eyes looked towards the street and saw a strange procession suddenly appear in the distance.
The procession wasn’t large: a vibrant red sedan chair carried by four tall men in white, preceded by two graceful maidens, each with a beauty one in a thousand, holding red lanterns and dressed in plain skirts.
Behind them were eight expressionless women in red, following in a line.
This group wasn't walking; they were floating directly, drifting all the way from the distance.
Witnessing this, people couldn’t help but feel an inexplicable chill.
“Those are people from the Red Chamber.”
An old man suddenly spoke, “It’s said that in the Red Chamber, there’s a Dao soldier unit called the Red Phoenix Guard, dressed exactly like these women in red. Their appearance signifies a major event happening in the Red Chamber, and their terror surpasses ordinary people. Their presence here, I’m afraid, means the Zhuang family is in trouble.”
This was a scholar-like man, his eyes gleaming with shrewdness. One could tell at a glance that he was no ordinary person. His name was Guo Huaiyong, also known as Mr. Dongguo. He was famous throughout the land for writing novels and biographies; many renowned storybooks came from his hand, circulating widely across the world.
He was a Spirit Master, and he was also a novelist.
People like him, who constantly gather various materials, information, and intelligence to write good novels, are the most knowledgeable about world affairs, almost indistinguishable from a walking encyclopedia.
The appearance of the Red Chamber’s people here was clearly aimed at the Zhuang family, specifically at Li Yueru.
Things, as expected, would not be that simple.
The Red Chamber’s Golden Hairpin Edict was not so easily avoided.
The consequence of disobedience would certainly not be pleasant.
Indeed, under the gaze of many onlookers, this procession had already appeared outside the Zhuang family courtyard. They were not blocked by a mere gate; they all passed through the wall and entered the courtyard.
“Candidate Golden Hairpin Li Yueru, having privately married, has violated the Red Chamber’s prohibition. Today, we are ordered to apprehend her and bring her back to the Red Chamber for punishment.”
The two young women in front spoke, their voices carrying an invisible pressure.
“Oh no, Husband, the Red Chamber has come.”
On the wedding bed, Li Yueru, lying in Zhuang Buzhou’s arms, trembled. The flush on her face instantly vanished, replaced by a deathly pallor, revealing a look of horror.
“Don’t be afraid, I’m here for everything.”
Zhuang Buzhou got up and put on his clothes, a hint of maturity seemingly added to his brows.
“Husband, let me go. The Red Chamber is looking for me. Yueru is already content to have married you; I cannot bring great disaster upon you because of me.” Li Yueru took a deep breath and also got up, putting on her clothes. A hint of determination showed in her brows.
Her fate had been full of hardships, and she had come to terms with many things. Before, when she married, she hadn't even entered her husband's home before he died. Now, to be able to marry and consummate the marriage successfully, had already fulfilled a deep-seated desire in her heart. In her opinion, the Red Chamber had come because of her ill-fated destiny as a lone star, and it was her tribulation. It could not be avoided or escaped.
Rather than implicate her husband, it was better to face it alone.
“What nonsense are you speaking? We are already married; you are my wife, and I am your husband. When faced with danger, how can a husband abandon his wife and let her face tribulation alone while he hides behind?” Zhuang Buzhou heard this, shook his head, and took Li Yueru’s hand, saying, “Don’t worry, I told you before that I have a way to protect you. You and I are one as husband and wife. Today, I will no longer hide some secrets from you. Your husband will now send you to a place where you will be in no danger. It is very safe there. You stay there first; I have already prepared all kinds of living supplies. As long as they cannot find you, the Red Chamber will have no way to deal with me.”
Zhuang Buzhou said with a smile, his words carrying a hint of confidence.
He gently patted Li Yueru’s shoulder.
The Other Shore was his greatest secret, his greatest reliance in this life, and also the safest place between heaven and earth. Inside, it was like a real world, even more real than the real world. It already possessed the characteristics of the Other Shore. In the Other Shore World, it formed its own heaven and earth; all Karma could not enter it. This was the Opportunity he had obtained since his Transmigration, exhausting all his resources. Living beings could survive there without question.
He was confident that as long as Li Yueru entered the Other Shore, the Red Chamber would definitely not find her.
If they couldn't find her, there would be room to maneuver.
“This…”
Li Yueru heard this and was clearly hesitant.
“Alright, your husband has made all the preparations. You go first, and your husband will follow soon.” Zhuang Buzhou slowly said, “Do not resist. I will send you over now.”
As his voice fell, with a wave of his hand, an invisible force swept over, and instantly, Li Yueru vanished into thin air before his eyes.
“Hand over Li Yueru and go to the Red Chamber for punishment!!”
The cold voice sounded again.
Vaguely, one could feel that the Qi emanating from them had become even more intense.
“You have come to the wrong place. Zhuang has no one you are looking for here.”
Creak!!
The door opened, and Zhuang Buzhou stepped out, looking at the Red Chamber One line in the courtyard, speaking calmly.
There was no fear in his brows, only composure.
Whoosh!!
A Red Phoenix Guard stepped into the wedding room, searched quickly, and finding nothing, immediately investigated other rooms in the Zhuang family, but still found nothing. Zhuang Buzhou just stood quietly, completely unconcerned by their searching, as if he was perfectly at ease.
And the result was clear: the searching Red Phoenix Guard returned, empty-handed.
“You are harboring a candidate Golden Hairpin. Hand her over, and you shall live. Refuse, and bear the consequences.”
The leader looked at Zhuang Buzhou, her eyes devoid of emotion, and spoke in a stiff, cold voice.
“There’s no one, how can I hand her over?!”
Zhuang Buzhou said calmly.
“Very well. The Red Chamber cannot be trifled with.”
The maiden looked at Zhuang Buzhou, speaking each word distinctly.
“Although the Red Chamber is powerful, it still has to abide by rules and reason. If you truly wish to punish someone, then find the person. If you cannot find her, then it can only be said that your Red Chamber is being unreasonable.”
Zhuang Buzhou spoke slowly, not backing down at all.
At this moment, nothing he said would matter. If he truly couldn’t avoid it, then the worst-case scenario was to hide in the Other Shore Space first.
“You wish to die.”
The maiden heard this and sneered. She raised her hand, about to give an order.
Ding, ding, ding!!
Just then, a clear and melodious zither melody came from afar without warning. The melody was very strange and unique, but when it reached the ears of the Red Chamber One line, their expressions changed simultaneously. The hand that was raised was gently lowered. She gave Zhuang Buzhou a deep look and said, “The Tower Lord has ordered that the Red Chamber welcomes guests. All people may enter the Red Chamber to seek Opportunity.”
As her voice fell, she gave Zhuang Buzhou a deep look, then led the Red Phoenix Guard away from the courtyard.
“What’s going on? They actually left.”
“The Red Chamber is open, Opportunity has arrived.”
In Qingyun City, a large number of Spirit Masters, upon seeing the Red Chamber envoys return from the Zhuang family empty-handed and inexplicably retreat, had not yet recovered from their surprise when they received this news. The shock in their hearts was undoubtedly extremely strong.
This action by the Red Chamber was too sudden and too unexpected.
“A dream of the Red Chamber, immortal brew hidden in a pot. May I ask how many mortals come, and how many can drink?”
In Qingyun City, a ballad echoed.
A Red Chamber suddenly appeared above Qingyun City, radiating a layer of brilliant red light that enveloped the entire city. A layer of strange mist concealed the entire city. Then, red ribbons descended from the sky, falling into the city and rapidly weaving through the white mist.
Some passed directly through house walls, landing on sleeping commoners. A red ribbon would coil around them, silently pulling them out of their rooms and into the Red Chamber. There were men and women, old and young; there was no discernible pattern to this selection, as if everything was random, forcibly pulling people from Qingyun City.
The methods were bizarre and terrifying, leaving people utterly unable to resist.
And a large number of Spirit Masters, upon seeing the red ribbons falling from the sky, didn't even try to dodge. Instead, they didn't wait for the ribbons to pull them; they rushed towards the ribbons on the spot, grabbed them, and followed the ribbons' power to step into the Red Chamber.
“It’s finally started. The Red Chamber is opening. This Opportunity must not be missed. However, I heard that those pulled into the Red Chamber will be randomly sent into various pavilions, and once inside, if one lacks ability, one cannot escape. I hope my luck is good and I don’t end up in those terrifying pavilions.”
“The Exquisite Skill Tower contains various top-tier Legacies and powerful professions. The Red Chamber appears at irregular intervals; no one knows when it will open again if we miss this time. To become a strong person, one must possess a top-tier profession. For the future, I’ll take a gamble.”
“It is said that even the Legacy of a World Spirit Master exists within the Red Chamber. If one can obtain the World Spirit Master Legacy, perhaps there will be an Opportunity to change one’s destiny. Spirit Masters cannot achieve immortality, but in the Red Chamber, it is said there is a chance to reverse fate and break through the shackles.”
One could see the hidden Spirit Masters in the city appearing one after another.
Those who came to Qingyun City were originally here for the Red Chamber. Even though the Red Chamber was dangerous, few were willing to retreat. These red ribbons were the direct way to the Red Chamber. They would lead them into the true Red Chamber.
“So the Red Chamber is in the sky? What was that Red Chamber I saw before? Was it just a projection, or something else?”
In the manor, Zhuang Buzhou looked up at the Void Realm, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. A red ribbon descended from the sky and directly coiled around him. With this coil, it seemed as if there was no space to avoid it, neither in heaven nor on earth.
“I have to go through this after all.”
Zhuang Buzhou took a deep breath and had no intention of dodging. Instead, he allowed the red ribbon to coil around him. The next second, he felt an irresistible force emanating from the red ribbon, pulling him up into the sky.
This ascent was like a divine rope, straight up to the clouds.
And, it could be confirmed, he was truly going to the sky.
But the process was impossible to discern; with one coil, he only felt dizzy. The next second, when he reappeared, his feet were already firmly on the ground.
“Oh, honored guest, you’re finally here! Come, come, please come in.”