The Second Rite Was Complete…
As the second rite concluded, Yu Sui and Mo Yan were officially declared husbands to one another. Cheers erupted through the vast crowd, joyous cries echoing into the sky. Yet, three sacred rites still remained....each one destined to deepen, strengthen, and immortalize their bond.
Meanwhile, at a quiet corner of the temple courtyard, Su Nian and Duie stood playfully bickering behind a guava tree. Their focus alternated between each other and the radiant couple at the center of attention. But hidden within the crowd, a man cloaked in shadows, his face concealed, was watching them intently. His eyes gleamed coldly...the unmistakable gaze of a killer. Two swords hung at his side. After a brief moment, he turned and disappeared into the sea of people.
How can a garden be full of blooming roses and not be scented? It would be like surviving without water. Even among the crowd, some souls could sense the fragrance of love between Su Nian and Duie. Many eyes turned to them, touched by the tenderness that surrounded the quiet pair.
---
The Ancient Temple of Vows
Mo Yan and Yu Sui were then led to a sacred ancient temple carved entirely of pure white stone...so resplendent in its divine elegance that it needed no decoration. Legend spoke of Qasiong's spirit, which visited this place each night. The temple was revered across realms for its sanctity, a site where countless lovers had once declared their promises and sealed their hearts with eternal vows.
Lady Wang Ayi permitted only Mo Yan and Yu Sui to enter. All others waited reverently outside.
She explained the rite:
"Within this temple, you must confess your love aloud,
so the talismans may awaken.
This declaration, followed by a marriage proposal,
is essential.....without it,
the sacred wedding cannot be completed,
and no further rites can proceed."
---
The grand doors of the temple creaked open on their own as if recognizing the sacredness of their bond. Once they stepped inside, the doors closed gently behind them.
Within, silence reigned.....a peace so pure, so deep, it felt as though even the gods held their breath.
As always, Mo Yan's gaze remained fixed on Yu Sui, as though he were beholding the greatest treasure of his life.
Today, Yu Sui was going to hear the very words that had kept him alive all these years. His dream had come true.....and how could he not gaze at Mo Yan, who had always been the center of that dream?
Tears welled in Yu Sui's eyes....not for himself, but for Mo Yan. For all the times he had hurt him, abandoned him, left him in darkness without a word... Yet, Mo Yan had never complained. He had only loved him. Loved him unconditionally.Even though he knew he was a devil, I still loved him
Yu Sui wept....with joy and guilt....but also with a resolve:
"I will spend the rest of my life atoning… by standing beside him as his equal, his partner, his husband."
He gently pulled Mo Yan into an embrace. Mo Yan wrapped his arms around him tightly in return.
Yu Sui cried.
But the pain.....that was Mo Yan's.
Even his tears were of love.
They both cried....softly, quietly...love spilling out in waves.
---
Now the moment had arrived: the confession of love.
But their love… it was so sacred, so pure, that words were no longer necessary.
A single touch could express what millions of poems could not.
For the first time ever, Mo Yan leaned forward…
And gently pressed his lips to Yu Sui's....a kiss so light, yet so full, that it could have awakened gods.
And it did.
The Su Tao Jue spell, like a blooming lotus, burst into vibrant dance.....spinning in the air in dazzling patterns.
The corners of the ancient temple filled with rose-pink light, bathing them in sacred warmth.
Mo Yan slowly pulled back, his voice soft and trembling:
"Vixion taun du jo Zhaio Sko…"
(With soul and breath, I vow to bind myself to you....through the rites of Zhaio Sko, in this life, and all that follow…)
Yu Sui smiled.....a radiant, unshakable smile...and gave his answer:
"Yes."
---
As soon as the words left his lips, the winds outside stirred. Petals began to fall.....
showering the crowd in soft blossoms of peach flowers.
This was a sign that the ritual was over
With pride, Lady Wang Ayi and Lady Shiyan Lee stepped forward to declare:
"The third rite is complete."
---
The couple emerged from the temple, hands still bound by glowing sacred thread.
As per tradition, they were now not only kings in rank....but eternal rulers of an unbreakable bond.
And the moment they stepped out…
Every single soul bowed before them.
Not for their crowns.
But for the holiness of their love.
A quiet sweetness settled upon the land.
And thus, the third rite was complete.