A Core Ship From The Start
Chapter 1370 - 923: High Monk Gains Reputation by Eradicating the Devil Fox, Gao’s Village Invites to Attend the Wedding Banquet

Chapter 1370: Chapter 923: High Monk Gains Reputation by Eradicating the Devil Fox, Gao’s Village Invites to Attend the Wedding Banquet

Duanmu Huai had just vanquished the Fox Spirit and hitched up his trousers when he proceeded to the main hall to knock on the door. On hearing the knocking, Wang Yuwai was trembling with fear, worried that it was the Fox Spirit coming to cause trouble, extremely nervous. But upon hearing Duanmu Huai announce that the Fox Spirit had been extinguished, he was overjoyed and quickly led people to check, only to see a fox corpse on the ground and the son, who had been unconscious on the bed, now also opening his Eyes nervously looking at Wang Yuwai, and calling out "Father".

Seeing his son regaining consciousness made Wang Yuwai ecstatic, and after resting for a few days, the son gradually regained his senses. According to what the son himself said, that day he had just finished offering incense at the temple, and as he was leaving, he met that woman at the foot of the mountain. She smiled at him, and suddenly he felt dazed and confused. After that, it was as if he was constantly dreaming about their romantic encounters, completely unaware of anything happening outside, as if it were all just a dream.

According to the son, it seemed like he was always in Mei’Er’s room, spending time solely with that woman, oblivious and unconcerned about the outside world. He was like a puppet, manipulated by that woman, neglecting his familial duties entirely, blissfully romanticizing with the woman before him, thoroughly enjoying himself.

During this period, the son gradually felt physically weak and wanted to go home, but had nowhere to return. A mere touch from that woman and he would lose all vitality, as if drunk, dazed and confused about all directions. It was then that he suddenly heard a thunderous roar next to his ear, and in the next moment, the pavilions, beautiful women, and fragrances all disappeared. When he finally opened his Eyes, it felt like awakening from a big dream, finding his father with tears streaming down his face, while he himself was still clueless about the situation.

Regardless, the son had woken up, and the entangling Fox Spirit was also dead. Naturally, Wang Yuwai was over the moon. As for the fox corpse, Duanmu Huai had no interest in eating fox meat, so he skinned it to make a fox fur coat and then burned the remaining body with fire.

Subsequently, Wang Yuwai requested Duanmu Huai and Sun Wukong to stay at his home for a few days, providing them with good food and drink daily, and of course, handing over the agreed upon Silver Tael. Of course, eat and drink they did, but travel they must. So, after several days of feasting, Duanmu Huai and Sun Wukong bid their farewell.

Before leaving, Wang Yuwai also offered Silver Tael and included a letter.

"Ahead lies Gao’s Village. The Holy Monk heading to the Western Paradise for scriptures will surely pass through there. I have long-standing relations with the people of Gao’s Village. With this letter, they will surely extend their hospitality to the Holy Monk."

Duanmu Huai was happy to take it easy, hence he took the Silver Tael and the letter, and left for the west side of the city.

From this event, the rumor of the Holy Monk traveling from the Eastern Tang Dynasty to the Western Paradise to expel Demons spread quickly.

They say rumors fly faster than birds; by the time Duanmu Huai arrived at Gao’s Village, the rumors had naturally already spread there.

Duanmu Huai presented the letter, and shortly after, a steward came out to greet him and Sun Wukong, hurrying to bow deeply.

"May I ask if you two are the Holy Monks traveling from the Eastern Tang Dynasty to the Western Paradise for scriptures?"

"Indeed, we are."

Seeing the steward’s demeanor, Duanmu Huai raised an eyebrow and then silently nodded. Hearing Duanmu Huai’s confirmation, the steward showed a delighted expression,promptly bowed, and warmly invited them in.

"Please come this way."

Under the steward’s attentive hospitality, Duanmu Huai and Sun Wukong entered the grand gates of Gao’s Village, which was a mansion of wealth, with beautifully painted and carved beams, indicative of an affluent family. Festive decorations were everywhere, with bright red lanterns hanging high, a scene filled with festivity. Sun Wukong, curious, then asked.

"Steward, it’s not a festival right now, yet here we have festive decorations. Could there be some celebration?"

"Indeed, that is the case."

Upon hearing Sun Wukong’s question, the steward grinned broadly.

"Without hiding the truth, today is indeed the day of our young lady’s grand wedding. Your arrival is quite timely, and... oh, no, never mind. In any case, having the Holy Monks here today really graces our occasion..."

Halfway through his words, the steward seemed to remember something and abruptly stopped speaking. Duanmu Huai and Sun Wukong, not being fools, exchanged glances, clearly guessing there might be some unspeakable secrets involved, but... what did that have to do with them? Fortuitously catching a wedding banquet, why not enjoy a good meal?

In the end, eating was the most important thing. As for other matters... they could wait until later, was there anything more important than enjoying a free meal?

Under the steward’s lead, the two were brought into the hall and seated at a side table. Nearby guests also hurried to greet them, and Duanmu Huai, having nothing better to do, started chatting with these guests. He learned that Gao’s Family was a well-known wealthy family in the area, dealing in textiles, and most guests at the table were business associates of Gao’s Family.

Therefore, these people had also received wedding invitations and come to celebrate, with mostly businessmen present at the scene; Duanmu Huai and Sun Wukong, not being sticklers, readily toasted and drank up, quickly becoming familiar with these people.

"Ah, Holy Monk, you might not know, but it wasn’t easy for Gao’s Family to reach today’s prosperity."

The older guest, obviously talkative, opened up after a few drinks.

"Lord Gao was in poor health in his later years and succumbed to an illness. At that time, everyone doubted whether Gao’s widow could manage such a large family business. Unexpectedly, she truly had the capabilities. While Lord Gao was alive, Gao’s Family business was somewhat declining, but once under her management, it flourished, and the textile business thrived even more."

At this point, the old man took another glass of wine, drank it in one gulp, and smacked his lips.

"It’s not been easy for Mrs. Gao, raising three daughters on her own. It was rumored that an arrangement was made for her daughter to marry the son of Wang Yuwai from the eastern city, but unexpectedly, that son attracted a Fox Spirit, alas, such bad luck for the woman. Luckily, they found such a son-in-law to step in; otherwise, who knows how they would have managed."

"Oh, I see......"

Hearing the old man’s explanation, Duanmu Huai nodded, somewhat understanding why the caretaker had complicated expressions towards them previously. Wang Yuwai had mentioned before that his connection with the Gao’s Family was deep, and he had previously arranged a marriage to put his son’s mind at rest.

Now it seems, at that time, Wang Yuwai was seeking a Gao’s daughter for his son. However, after the Fox Spirit caused chaos, seeing his son was hopeless, the Gao Family decisively called off the marriage and looked for another suitor instead.

If the son had died, there probably wouldn’t have been an issue.

But Duanmu Huai killed that fox, and the son came back to life, while the originally agreed bride was in the midst of marrying someone else... Thinking about it, Wang Yuwai probably hasn’t learned about this yet.

No wonder the caretaker didn’t know what to say upon seeing him.

After all, this is ancient times, and information isn’t easily transmitted; it’s not like the modern day where you can just make a call to resolve problems...

Of course, this has nothing to do with Duanmu Huai. He just came to eat at the feast, and once he is done, he’ll just leave — what happens with these two families is their business. Why should he care?

He is just an unemotional eating machine, after all.

However...

Holding his wine cup, Duanmu Huai squinted his eyes, staring at the hall before him, yet his mind wandered to completely different thoughts. Speaking of which, this antique charm, it really does have an ancient marriage feel to it. And such stories are not uncommon, but if you stripped away this layer of national style, focusing only on the keywords?

Mansion, young lady, widow, sisters, getting a wife.

Right, many games have similar content, don’t they? The protagonist receives a letter to go for a matchmaking, then travels to a remote Western-style house deep in the mountains, where youthful and beautiful sisters waiting to be married and maidservants, as well as a widow, live—and then a murder occurs...

So, is this "People of the Gao’s Family" or "Sisters of the Fog Valley Earl" or "Mansion—An Unbelievable Tale" or perhaps "Chaotic Mansion of Mothers"?

Ah, thinking this way, isn’t it quite interesting?

There was nothing special thereafter; the wedding ceremony proceeded, and the bride and groom offered drinks, Duanmu Huai also took the opportunity to glance at the couple. The groom seemed naive and honest, and the bride... lifting your bridal veil, let me see your face...

But alas, he hardly saw her.

After the wedding, the bride and groom went back to their room to rest, Duanmu Huai and Sun Wukong were also arranged in a guest room to rest, and the night passed uneventfully.

Come the next day around noon, after Duanmu Huai and others had their vegetarian meal, they planned to bid farewell and leave.

"Holy Monk, you have a hard journey ahead to the Western Paradise, please be careful."

The widow, not yet forty and still charming, seemed to be in good spirits perhaps due to being the mother-in-law now. She not only prepared dry food and snacks for Duanmu Huai and others but also instructed the accounting office to provide some silver for buying tea and drinks on the road, which Duanmu Huai, of course, gladly accepted—with money coming to him, there was no way he would return it, right?

"Then, we bid farewell."

"Holy Monk, have a safe journey..."

As Duanmu Huai and Sun Wukong were leading their horses out of the Gao’s Village manor, intending to depart, suddenly they saw the caretaker looking pale, running over in a panic.

"Madam, Madam, something terrible has happened!"

The caretaker threw himself down in front of the lady of the Gao’s Family, his face pale and his body trembling. Seeing the caretaker’s state, the lady frowned slightly and scolded softly.

"What has happened? Why are you acting so disgracefully?"

"Madam, oh Madam..."

The caretaker lifted his head, opened his mouth, and uttered a shocking statement, upon which the lady instantly fainted.

As for what the caretaker actually said?

To find out what happens next, please wait for the following story.