Chapter 119: Crown Ceremony
In the courtyard, Dongfang Tianyu's figure was still upright, with sword shadows weaving like a weave, immersed in the rhythm of sword dancing. Suddenly, a ray of flames suddenly shot out from behind Li Muchen, like a meteor streaking through the night sky, and in an instant it was approaching Dongfang Tianyu.
However, Dongfang Tianyu's swordsmanship did not slow down at all. He raised the tip of his sword lightly, as if dancing with the flames. The blazing flames followed the movement of his sword, outlining a series of gorgeous and elegant trajectories, until they finally turned into nothingness and the flames dissipated into the invisible. Afterwards, he calmly sheathed the sword, his movements smooth and natural.
"Little sister, you are being naughty again."
Dongfang Tianyu's gaze gently swept across Li Muchen, and finally fixed on Dongfang Qinlan who was hurriedly coming not far away, with a bit of pampering and helplessness in his tone.
"It's because you ignored me, Brother Tianyu. I called you so many times, but you didn't hear me."
Dongfang Qinlan pouted slightly, with a look of grievance in her eyes, as if she had suffered a great injustice.
Then, she turned her gaze sharply towards Li Muchen, her vigilance and scrutiny becoming more intense: "Also, who is this woman?"
Li Muchen, who was standing by, frowned slightly when he saw her like this.
Dongfang Qinlan's behavior was nothing like that of a younger sister towards her brother. Instead, she looked more like a jealous little girl who was extremely wary of any opposite sex who approached Dongfang Tianyu.
"Qin Lan, don't be rude."
Dongfang Tianyu walked up and touched Dongfang Qinlan's little head, but there was no real blame in his tone, but more tolerance and teaching to his sister, "This is Li Muchen, the third lady of the Li family. She is a friend of my brother. She is here to attend my brother's coming-of-age ceremony."
Seeing this, Li Muchen also showed a gentle smile at the right time, took a step forward, and said softly: "Miss Qin Lan, it's our first time to meet you. I am Li Muchen. It is said that the Dongfang family is famous in the Dao League for its pure Yangyan. After seeing it today, it is indeed well-deserved."
When Dongfang Qinlan heard this, the wariness on her face disappeared, but for Dongfang Tianyu's sake, she nodded reluctantly, as a response to Li Muchen's goodwill.
"Brother Tianyu, don't you see what time it is now? All the guests in the hall are here, but you are the only one missing. My father sent someone to look for you in your room just now, but he came back empty-handed."
After Dongfang Qinlan finished speaking, she looked towards the main hall anxiously, obviously attaching great importance to the upcoming ceremony.
Dongfang Tianyu heard this and subconsciously looked at the sun in the sky. Then he reacted. He was immersed in his sword intent and naturally forgot about time.
After realizing what was happening, Dongfang Tianyu immediately stopped a maid who was trimming flowers and plants nearby and told her to take Li Muchen to the guest area, while he himself took Dongfang Qinlan to the main hall.
According to Dongfang Tianyu's idea, not many people came to participate in the ceremony this time. Apart from the few forces that Dongfang Guyue was on good terms with, most of them were friends that Dongfang Tianyu had made himself.
Even though there were not many people, the ceremony still looked solemn and grand. In the main hall, the candlelight was brilliant, illuminating the entire space with its golden splendor. The air was filled with a faint sandalwood scent, which made people feel peaceful. The guests were standing or sitting, and the conversations came one after another. Until Dongfang Tianyu and Dongfang Qinlan appeared at the door, all the voices stopped abruptly, and everyone cast respectful and curious eyes. Dongfang Tianyu was wearing a specially made crown dress, with fluttering sleeves, and his eyebrows revealed an indescribable heroic spirit and maturity. He smiled and nodded to the guests, and everyone present could feel his calmness and confidence.
"Everyone, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting for so long." Dongfang Guyue, who was sitting at the first seat, spoke clearly and powerfully, echoing in the main hall. "Today is the coming-of-age ceremony for my son Dongfang Tianyu. Thank you all for taking the time out of your busy schedules to come and witness this important moment. Here, I, Dongfang Guyue, would like to express my gratitude to you all on his behalf."
"Tianyu's growth is inseparable from the support and care of every relative and friend, and even more so from the support and teachings of the various families in the Dao League. From today onwards, he will take on the responsibility of his family with a more mature attitude and contribute his own strength to the peace and prosperity of the Dao League."
After saying that, Dongfang Guyue stood up and walked to Dongfang Tianyu himself, his eyes full of pride and love. He gently patted Tianyu on the shoulder and motioned him to take a few steps forward and face the guests.
"Tianyu, according to tradition, the coming-of-age ceremony is not only a sign of adulthood, but also the beginning of a new stage in your life. In the days to come, you will face more challenges and opportunities. I hope you can maintain your humility and tenacity and become the leader of the next generation of the Dao Alliance."
Upon hearing this, Dongfang Tianyu bowed deeply to his father, then turned to face the guests with a firm and warm gaze.
The capping ceremony continued with a series of ceremonial links unfolding one by one, from adding the cap, bestowing the name to reading out the family precepts, each of which was full of solemnity and sacredness.
During this process, Li Muchen sat quietly in the guest seats, his eyes falling on Dongfang Tianyu from time to time, with complex emotions surging in his heart.
The two of them being alone together earlier made Li Muchen want Dongfang Tianyu to be her partner in cultivation. However, the scene before her was like a cold shower that woke her up from her fantasy, and made her realize that there seemed to be a gap between her and Dongfang Tianyu that was difficult to cross.
From his bright eyes, Li Muchen could easily see his strong sense of belonging to the Dongfang family. This emotion made him not easily abandon the responsibility and honor of the family and unconditionally devote himself to her research full of unknowns and challenges.
After realizing this, Li Muchen's eyes became cold again. He quietly left this noisy place alone, but left the emotion that she shouldn't have there.
……
In the following time, although Li Muchen did not continue to avoid Dongfang Tianyu's visit, she was able to keep her behavior from being dominated by emotions. Over time, even she herself felt that she had let go of this feeling, like the last fallen leaf in autumn, quietly blending into the soil without leaving any trace.
Afterwards, Dongfang Tianyu fulfilled his promise and handed the demon mask to Li Muchen for research. Li Muchen also shared the research results with Dongfang Tianyu to help him understand and control this power more deeply.
Gradually, the two of them seemed to have really transcended the emotional entanglement and established an indescribable but purer relationship, until...
(End of this chapter)