Lan Yin brought the child with him and temporarily left. At this moment, I saw many Underworld Denizens moving toward the Ten Guides, gathering on the platform behind the Thirteen Fates of Hades. Rachel Lan and Mo Lin slowly walked to the front of the Ten Guides.
I could no longer suppress the anger burning inside me. I only wanted to rush out, but Yin Choujian smiled faintly, saying nothing. I started paying close attention to those ten guides, all dressed identically today.
White robes with yellow trim, each embroidered with a unique Sacred Beast. Their wide gowns were neat and immaculate. Behind them, the Thirteen Fates of Hades wore ordinary clothes, not formal at all. My gaze lingered on Rachel Lan's mother, Helen Lane. I could tell Helen Lane was deeply worried about Rachel Lan.
It was the gaze of a mother anxious for her daughter. Just then, Zifeng came over and spoke to me about those ten guides.
"Brother, take a good look. These ten are the ones who stand at the very top of the Human Realm. Remember their faces well, because one day, they will be the enemies you must face."
I nodded seriously. Among these people, only Wang Su was an elderly man, the others were all young, including two women.
Zifeng continued, "The first is Su Yuanjie." I looked over; he appeared to be in his thirties, with long black hair tied up, glossy as black jade. His neck was as smooth as fine porcelain, and his handsome face radiated arrogance. He had three descendants among the Thirteen Fates of Hades.
The second is Xie Wanyun. Her eyes were clear and bright, her eyebrows arched gracefully, and her long lashes trembled slightly. Her flawless skin had a faint blush, and her thin lips were as vivid as rose petals, exuding an ancient feminine aura. She gazed coldly below; among the Thirteen Fates of Hades, she had two descendants.
The third is Fu Lin, the child who just came in with Lan Yin. His robe was a bit too large, and he could only roll up the embroidered sleeves. He wore a relaxed smile, looking as innocent as any child outside, but his eyes occasionally glinted with clever mischief.
The fourth is Duan Tianyou. His hair was jet-black and straight, his brows sharp as swords. His black eyes held a blade-like intensity. With a chiseled face and a tall, lean frame, he was cold and aloof, yet radiated a commanding presence. He stood alone, exuding an air of defiance toward heaven and earth.
"What? You two, is there really any need to be so tense?"
Lan Yin sat in the fifth seat, smiling. He was speaking to Xie Wanyun and Duan Tianyou. The two, a man and a woman, wore cold expressions as if facing a formidable enemy.
"Hmph, Lan Yin, whenever you're involved, nothing good ever happens."
Duan Tianyou said this, glancing over at us. Yin Choujian lounged comfortably, legs crossed, hands clasped, sitting in his chair and meeting Duan Tianyou's gaze for a while.
For a moment, I saw fury burst from Duan Tianyou's eyes. He glared at Yin Choujian, his clothes fluttering in the breeze, his face contorted with rage.
"What? If you want to come over, then hurry up."
As Yin Choujian spoke, Duan Tianyou suddenly radiated a burst of white light, looking ready to charge over.
"Tianyou." Xie Wanyun called out. Duan Tianyou gritted his teeth and sat down, then looked helplessly at Xie Wanyun.
Ji Yuner giggled, then looked at Yin Choujian. I glanced at her curiously.
"Qingyuan, you know, back then, that woman's husband died at the hands of Yin Choujian."
Just as Ji Yuner finished speaking, Yin Choujian smiled, saying nothing.
I looked at the Ten Guides in surprise. Their relationship with the Seven Ghost Sovereigns seemed complicated. At that moment, one of them stood up and burst out laughing.
"What, wasn't your husband killed by Yin Choujian? Don't you want revenge?"
With a bang, Duan Tianyou smashed the corner of his chair, then glared fiercely at that man. I saw the man, hair disheveled and stubbled, looking about forty, gloating as he sat in the Seventh Tribunal's chair.
Zifeng, behind me, told me the man's name was Mo Jue.
"Well, Duan Tianyou, if you can't accept it, then hurry up and avenge your sweetheart. I'd love to see a good fight."
"Enough."
Suddenly, Lan Yin stood up from his chair, a wicked grin on his face as he stared at Mo Jue.
"Shut your filthy mouth, unless you want to die."
Mo Jue looked indignant, his fists clenched so tightly they creaked, but he didn't dare utter a word.
"Not satisfied?" Lan Yin called out softly, and Mo Jue obediently sat down.
"Everyone, let's say a little less. It's been centuries—shouldn't love and hatred have long faded for beings like us?"
Seated next to Lan Yin was a scholarly, pale-faced youth named Lu Junchi. He fanned himself with a paper fan, looking quite monk-like, and sat in the chair of the Sixth Tribunal.
In the chair of the Eighth Tribunal sat a burly man with thick arms that seemed ready to burst his clothes. He looked nearly fifty, his hair tied in a small knot, his posture stern and vigilant. Eyes closed, he ignored everything around him. His name was Zhao Yan.
On the Ninth Tribunal's chair sat Wang Su, who was simply smiling. I had met him in his youth—he was rigid and strict, always by the book. But now, all that rigidity was gone, replaced by an easygoing demeanor.
Finally, in the Tenth Tribunal sat a young woman in her early twenties. Her face always bore a playful, adorable smile, with two shallow dimples and a slightly rounded oval face—she was beautiful. She remained silent, resting her chin in her hands, gazing at Rachel Lan and Mo Lin below.
Zifeng told me that aside from the First Tribunal having three descendants, and the Second Tribunal two, the other eight Tribunals each held one position among the Thirteen Fates.
"Everyone, you must be wondering why the Ten Guides of Hades are all present at this wedding between two juniors. I'm sure you're all curious. Here, I thank you all for attending—friends from Naraku, friends from Ghost Mound, and all of you from the Ghost Path."
Su Yuanjie stood up, called out loudly, then turned to us and bowed.
My heart was in my throat. Rachel Lan stood below, her face expressionless. I had no idea what was happening, but I knew I had to step forward.
"This wedding is ordained by Hades' Will."
Su Yuanjie spoke, his gaze locking onto me. I stood up, clenching my fists.
"Well, Zhang Qingyuan, aren't you going to show us what you've got? Hehe..."
Suddenly, not far from us, the woman known as the Poison Star, a Ghost Mound member sitting with Grandpa Cat, spoke up and laughed.
"Everyone, today this wedding is brought about under the guidance of Hades' Will. I hope you can all remain calm and watch the ceremony quietly. After all, through this wedding, some incredible things will happen. Please, observe closely."
I could no longer endure it. As Rachel Lan and Mo Lin knelt together, her face showed no resistance, no sadness, no anger.
"Go on, brother. Both sides can't hold back any longer. Let's not drag out this clumsy act."
I nodded. In an instant, I spread my wings and, with a whoosh, sped down below. Suddenly, I was right in front of Rachel Lan. Her eyes widened in fear as Mo Lin also noticed me.
"What are you—"
Without waiting for Mo Lin to finish, I pressed his head down and slammed it hard against the surface of the Trial Marriage Stone. Blood gushed from his head, and he passed out instantly. I reached out a hand to Rachel Lan.
No one made a sound. My series of actions didn't provoke any response from the other Underworld Denizens—they simply watched me in silence.
Rachel Lan looked at me as if she wanted to speak but couldn't. I understood—she couldn't say anything. While I didn't fully grasp what Hades' Will truly was, after talking with Lan Yin yesterday, I had learned a few things.
Those born in the Hades Circle cannot defy it, and Rachel Lan had completely submitted to Hades' Will. She couldn't express anything to me—not even her refusal to acknowledge this marriage.
I still remembered, during the days I disappeared along the Underworld Path, Rachel Lan was the first to come looking for me. When she found me, I smiled and pulled her up from the ground, holding her in my arms and glaring at the Ten Guides above.
"I, Zhang Qingyuan, am only here to reclaim my wife. If you hear me, then drop this nonsense about Hades' Will. Are you all dead inside?"
I roared, and Lan Yin was the first to stand up, his smile vanishing.
"Zhang Qingyuan, there's no need for more words. If this wedding goes smoothly, Hades has promised to reveal its true identity to us—to explain why it chose our ten families to create the Hades Circle."
Suddenly, wild laughter erupted along with a flash of golden light before my eyes—I couldn't react at all.
"Brother, since it's begun, give it everything you've got."
With a bang, Yin Choujian was suddenly beside me. The golden light that shot toward me struck Da Fei—it was Mo Jue, who spat blood as he crashed into the stone wall.
At that moment, my eyes widened as everyone came down from above, standing at my side.