Evan Chu had witnessed ceremonies like this more times than he could count. The memories of his past, every precious moment with the women in his life, surged in his heart. A wave of guilt swept over him—he realized just how reckless and unrestrained he’d been, never truly taking care of them as he should have. In this solemn moment, regret gnawed at him, making all those old feelings painfully vivid.
Princess Ivy seemed lost in thought as well. She shot Evan a glance—deep and meaningful, brimming with silent emotion. That look sent a chill down Evan’s spine, making him uneasy, as if she’d glimpsed straight through all his regrets.
Before long, Chase Chu led Princess Serene out to stand before the assembled crowd. Behind them, her maid Laney followed quietly, then stepped aside to let all attention fall on the couple. Instantly, every gaze in the hall locked onto Chase and Serene, the atmosphere thick with anticipation.
The two walked up to the front of the grand hall. Chase glanced at Evan Chu and Princess Ivy, a faint smile tugging at his lips. The Beast King, acting as master of ceremonies, suddenly boomed, “First bow—to heaven and earth!” His voice echoed through the hall, solemn and commanding.
Chase and Princess Serene turned to face the entrance and bowed deeply, paying respects to heaven and earth. Next, the Beast King called, “Second bow—to the elders!” The couple bowed respectfully to Evan Chu, King Victor Zhao, and Princess Ivy, all three of whom wore broad, joyful smiles, pride shining in their eyes.
“Third bow—husband and wife bow to each other!” The Beast King’s final announcement rang out, and every guest in the hall focused their gaze on Chase and Serene. This was the moment—the instant the bow was complete, Princess Serene would officially become Chase Chu’s wife.
Just as Chase and Serene were about to complete the final bow, a furious shout exploded from outside the hall: “Hold it right there! Princess Serene cannot marry Chase Chu—he’s a traitor to the Netherworld!” The words cut through the festive air like a knife, shocking everyone present.
The whole crowd froze. From the entrance strode dozens of figures, led by Grant Gu Jr. in his signature purple robes. Behind him followed several elders—their presence radiated a terrifying pressure, these were the legendary Hidden Clan powerhouses whose depths no one could fathom.
Evan Chu and King Victor Zhao’s faces turned grim. Trouble on this day? Evan’s voice was icy and forceful: “Chase, continue the ceremony. Ignore them—all these problems, your father will handle!” His words rang out, unwavering and full of authority.
Chase and Princess Serene, undaunted, prepared to bow before everyone. But just as their heads began to lower, Grant Gu Jr. conjured a gleaming longsword out of thin air and hurled it straight at Chase! Instantly, tension snapped in the hall—every guest gasped, the festive mood shattered.
Grant Gu Jr.’s cultivation was already at the early Nether Emperor realm—this strike was deadly, and Chase Chu had no way to block it. The crowd erupted in panic, but Princess Serene reacted instantly. With a surge of icy power, she unleashed a full-force palm strike, blasting the flying sword aside with a thunderous crash! The entire hall trembled under the impact, and the red bridal veil slipped from her head, revealing a face frosted with cold determination.
Princess Serene stood tall, her eyes blazing with frost as she fixed Grant Gu Jr. with a piercing stare. "Grant Gu, you dare ruin my wedding? Today, I will not spare you!" Her voice was cold as ice, every word ringing with royal authority and fury.
She was about to strike, but in this hall, it wasn’t her place to take the lead. In a flash, the Beast King appeared before Grant Gu Jr., blocking Serene’s attack. His presence was overwhelming, his gaze fierce and unyielding.
“You’ve got some nerve, coming here to make trouble on this day! I was willing to let you go, but you show no gratitude and still dare to stir up chaos. Do you really think I, the Beast King, won’t kill you where you stand?” His roar shook the hall, every word thick with murderous intent.
One of the Hidden Clan elders sneered, "Beast King, you’re no better—colluding with outsiders! Evan Chu is an Immortal Realm spy. His intentions are clear: first he killed King Lin and King Gu, now he’s marrying his son to King Victor Zhao’s daughter. He wants to seize control of the entire Netherworld!"
Another elder chimed in, his voice dripping with contempt, "You all treat him like he’s some supreme being, showing endless respect, not realizing you’re being played for fools. The Immortal Realm is the enemy of us all. Siding with Evan Chu is the same as betraying the Netherworld. And you still have the nerve to hold a wedding here? Laughable!"
Evan Chu felt his face grow hot—he hadn’t expected to be saddled with such a crime. He strode down from the dais, eyes locked on the elder. "Who are you to question me? Today is my son’s wedding, a day of joy. If you’re here for wedding wine, you’re welcome! But if you’ve come to make trouble, you’re courting death! No one has ever dared cause a scene in front of me!"
If you’re here to stir up trouble, then your only outcome is death. In my presence, no one has ever dared to make a scene and walked away alive!" Evan’s words were cold and absolute, the threat clear to all.
Another Hidden Clan elder spat back, "An Immortal Realm dog dares to boast in the Netherworld, as if we have no experts? Today is your death day! You killed King Lin and King Gu—pillars of our world! Only by tearing you and your son to pieces can we appease the people’s rage!"
Chase Chu’s anger boiled over—he couldn’t let anyone insult his father, no matter his own strength. "You old bastard, what does my father’s business have to do with you? You Hidden Clans think you’re so mighty, but you’re just turtles hiding in your shells! You saw my father-in-law and the Beast King take Lin and Gu’s cities, and now you’re jealous, dreaming of a free slice of the pie. My father did nothing wrong—King Lin and King Gu insulted him and attacked together. They lost because they were weak! What right do you have to lecture him?"
You think you’re something special? My father’s business is none of yours. Today is my wedding day, and you came here just to cause trouble—that’s a slap in the face to my father-in-law! Don’t even think about leaving here alive!" Chase’s words were sharp and unyielding, the challenge clear.
Another elder snorted, "Oh? Even a brat dares to mouth off here? The Netherworld really is about to turn upside down. If we don’t teach you your place, you’ll forget the Hidden Clans even exist!" His contempt was palpable, but Chase met his gaze with fearless defiance.
Yet another elder sneered, "A brat like you dares to mouth off in front of us? Looks like the Netherworld really is turning upside down. If we don’t put you in your place, you’ll forget the Hidden Clans even exist!" The threat hung in the air, but Chase stood his ground, undaunted.
Evan Chu fixed the elder with a calm, icy stare. "You claim my son and I are Immortal Realm spies, but where’s your proof? Since ancient times, the strong rule—killing a few people is nothing. Should I just stand by and let them kill me instead?" His words were direct, every syllable brimming with confidence and disdain.
So the Hidden Clans are supposed to be impressive? Frankly, I’ve never put you in my eyes. I didn’t plan on killing anyone today, but it seems I have no choice. If you really have the guts, let’s take this fight outside—I won’t let my son’s wedding be ruined by petty troublemakers!" Evan’s voice was cold and resolute, the challenge unmistakable.
Grant Gu Jr.’s eyes blazed with hatred as he glared at Evan Chu. "Today, I’m going to ruin this wedding—let’s see what you can do about it!" With a sudden burst of speed, he shot toward one of the massive stone pillars, clearly intent on bringing the hall crashing down and destroying the ceremony.
Evan Chu saw through Grant Gu Jr.’s intent in an instant. Before the young lord could strike the pillar, Evan’s eyes flashed—twin beams of ice-blue and fiery red shot forth, blasting straight into Grant Gu Jr.’s body with unstoppable force.
This was Evan Chu’s Icefire Eye—a primordial power that could slay even late-stage Immortal or Nether Emperor experts in a single move. Against Grant Gu Jr., an early-stage Nether Emperor, it was pure overkill: the twin beams punched two massive, bloody holes straight through his torso, the force so great it shook the hall.
With a heavy thud, Grant Gu Jr.’s body crashed to the ground, his face twisted in disbelief and bitter unwillingness. He’d never imagined he could be killed in a single move—his ambitions snuffed out in an instant.
Evan Chu stood cold and unyielding, his voice echoing through the hall: "Anyone who dares make trouble here deserves death a hundred times over! If any of you Hidden Clan powerhouses want to test my strength, step forward!" The challenge hung in the air, heavy and undeniable.
He stood there, proud and fearless, daring anyone to step forward. Even on his son’s wedding day, Evan Chu would kill without hesitation to defend his family and their dignity. The entire hall was silent, the threat in his words unmistakable—the era of bowing to the Hidden Clans was over.