Chapter Seventy-Nine: The Grand Wedding of Fuxi

“Silence, Chiyou! Kneel and beg for forgiveness at once!” Di Jiang’s furious shout rang out immediately. He was also vexed by Chiyou’s reckless tongue—were this not the Hall of Supreme Harmony, he would have struck him down on the spot.

“Spawn of wet birth and eggs, quite impressive,” Li Tian’s eyes flashed coldly. Though he had long since reached a realm where he would hardly lose his composure over an ant, Chiyou’s words had truly angered him.

Nuwa’s expression soured as well; after all, Fuxi was her elder brother, and with Chiyou’s remark, he had insulted her as well.

“Please, Heavenly Emperor, calm your anger!” Houtu, regaining her composure, knelt at once and pleaded for forgiveness. She knew Chiyou’s temperament—after all, she had created him as a great shaman—and realized that his words were largely on her behalf.

“We beg the Heavenly Emperor’s pardon,” the other ancestral shamans and great shamans also half-knelt, joining in the plea.

“I, Chiyou, alone am responsible for what I have done. You may kill or punish me as you see fit, but I beg you not to implicate others for my sake!” Chiyou strode forward, meeting Li Tian’s gaze with a deep, sonorous voice.

He had sobered somewhat now. Thinking back on his words, he felt a twinge of regret, yet the pride of his tribe would not allow him to submit so easily. He did not fear death—what troubled him was the thought of bringing disaster upon his people.

Fuxi pondered a moment before stepping forward, bowing and saying, “Chiyou spoke out of turn and deserves heavy punishment. However, as the shamans have only recently pledged themselves, a harsh sentence might affect their sense of belonging to the Heavenly Court. I beseech the Heavenly Emperor to show leniency.”

These words made Houtu glance at Fuxi with gratitude, and the ancestral shamans and great shamans felt their regard for him rise markedly.

Li Tian and Nuwa exchanged a look, their divine senses communicating silently. Since even Fuxi, the one most wronged, did not seek blame, what more could they say?

“If the Emperor of the East intercedes, then let Chiyou contemplate his misdeeds facing the wall for a million years, to serve as a warning to others,” Li Tian pronounced after a moment’s thought.

A million years?

The shamans exchanged glances, all secretly sighing with relief. Thankfully, the matter was thus resolved. Though a million years sounded long, it was but the span of a meditational retreat for many exalted beings—a fitting lesson for Chiyou.

“The Heavenly Emperor is merciful.”

At this, everyone bowed as one. Chiyou, too, cast a grateful glance upward before lowering himself in obeisance.

Seeing this, Li Tian and Nuwa nodded in satisfaction.

“Thank you,” Chiyou hesitated for a moment, but before being led away by the enforcers, he finally voiced his gratitude to Fuxi.

Seeing this, Fuxi was momentarily taken aback, but then returned a faint smile. That someone like Chiyou would thank him was, indeed, a surprise.

…

The incident in the Hall of Supreme Harmony was but a small episode. From the moment Li Tian issued the decree, preparations for Fuxi and Houtu’s wedding began in earnest.

Most people offered their blessings. For a time, all of the Wilderness was abuzz. Countless exalted beings received invitations and made ready their gifts, setting out for the Heavenly Court.

The Three Pure Ones and other sages were no exception. Of course, as sages, they would not lower themselves to attend in person, but sent disciples with lavish gifts on their behalf.

…

As time passed, the day of the wedding soon arrived. The ceremony was grand—no less than that of Li Tian and Nuwa’s own nuptials. After all, today’s Heavenly Court was incomparable to what it had once been.

After all the preparations, under the blessings of countless mighty beings, Fuxi led Houtu slowly up the high platform.

This wedding was officiated by both Li Tian and Nuwa—the presence of two sages alone was enough to arouse boundless envy.

How many in the Wilderness could claim such an honor?

Especially with not one, but two sages presiding!

“I thank you all for attending my wedding,” Fuxi said from the dais after the lengthy rituals, expressing his gratitude to the assembled guests before turning to smile at Houtu at his side.

“From today forward, you are my Empress Xi.”

Houtu started in surprise, then, regaining her composure, nodded gently and allowed Fuxi to lead her toward the Hall of the Eastern Emperor.

Many exalted guests looked upon their departing figures with envy, some even wondering if it might be time to seek a Dao companion of their own.

Li Tian and Nuwa exchanged a smile. Yet, Li Tian found Fuxi’s words oddly familiar—had he himself not once spoken something similar?

…

Meanwhile, in the crowd, Duobao instinctively glanced toward Cihang up ahead, then cheerfully sidled over.

“Junior Sister Cihang…”

“Yes, Senior Brother Duobao?”

“Uh, it’s nothing…”

…

(Footnote: In Sanskrit Buddhist scriptures, Cihang [Guanyin] is male, but appears mostly as female. When Buddhism spread to our land, the male aspect was conveniently forgotten, so in most classical literature she is female. Hence, the character is portrayed as female here.)

…

The wedding of Fuxi and Houtu caused quite a stir throughout the Wilderness.

First to respond were the shamans. Having witnessed the power of the sages, many ordinary shamans had been fearful, dreading that their entire tribe might one day be wiped out at a sage’s whim.

Thus, Houtu’s union with Fuxi was like a stabilizing anchor for them.

After all, anyone with knowledge of the Heavenly Court knew Fuxi’s standing—elder brother to the Heavenly Empress, and second only to the two sages themselves!

For such a figure to become the consort of Houtu, the ancestor most beloved by ordinary shamans—how could they now fear the Heavenly Court would move against them?

…

At the same time, the human race, upon learning the news, also reconsidered their stance toward the shamans. The human leaders gathered to discuss how best to integrate the shamans and foster harmony between the two peoples.

With the rise of humanity, the demon tribes had grown scarce, so many shamans now hunted beasts for food, which sometimes brought them into conflict with humans.

Fortunately, with the advent of herding and animal husbandry, humans no longer relied solely on hunting, so such conflicts were not severe.

After discussion, the human leaders resolved to gradually open trade with the shamans. For example, the shamans, being strong, could help with labor-intensive tasks, for which the humans would provide suitable compensation.

Still, as most shamans were proud and unruly, true harmony between the two peoples would take time—and in the interim, clashes and bloodshed were inevitable.

…