OFTLHFRO C183
by berryChapter 183: Marry Them All
When Lan Yiheng realized that Luo Mingchen was no longer guiding his energy, he slowly opened his eyes in confusion.
“It’s over?”
“Yep.”
Luo Mingchen nodded.
“From here on, you’ll have to continue comprehending it yourself.”
“There are five elemental energies in this world.”
“Yours is the Ice Element, which is simply a mutated branch of the Water Element.”
“This place is especially suitable for cultivation, so work hard.”
The reason their powers had merged so smoothly was because Luo Mingchen himself possessed water-element abilities.
At their core, the two energies shared the same origin.
Afterward, Luo Mingchen turned toward Lan Fei.
“Come on.”
“Your turn.”
Zhu Ruo looked at him in surprise.
“Lord Luo… don’t you need to rest first?”
The process had appeared deceptively simple.
In reality, the slightest mistake could cause disastrous consequences.
It demanded absolute concentration.
Logically speaking…
It should have been mentally exhausting.
Luo Mingchen waved his hand dismissively.
“No need.”
“It’s really not as difficult as you’re imagining.”
Hearing that, Lan Fei obediently walked over and sat upon the meditation cushion.
“I’ll trouble you then, Uncle Luo.”
“Good boy.”
Grinning, Luo Mingchen gently pinched Lan Fei’s cheek.
So soft…
Lan Yiheng and Zhu Ruo could only laugh helplessly at the sight.
The moment Luo Mingchen’s energy entered Lan Fei’s body, he immediately discovered that the boy’s control over his own power far surpassed his father’s.
Although Lan Fei’s overall strength wasn’t yet comparable to Lan Yiheng’s…
His control was impeccable.
The father and son truly suffered from the exact same problem.
Luo Mingchen repeated the same method as before.
This time, however…
There was no need to forcefully suppress Lan Fei.
After only one demonstration…
The flow of energy within Lan Fei’s body was already moving almost faster than Luo Mingchen’s own guidance.
Even so, to be absolutely safe, Luo Mingchen repeated the process three times.
Each cycle became progressively faster than the previous one.
Lan Fei naturally noticed the increasing speed.
A slight frown appeared on his face as he concentrated on keeping pace.
Finally, Luo Mingchen withdrew his own energy completely, allowing Lan Fei to comprehend it for himself.
After several more independent circulations…
Lan Fei slowly opened his eyes.
He rose and bowed respectfully.
“Thank you, Uncle Luo.”
The question that had troubled him for an entire year…
Finally had its answer.
It truly was something worth celebrating.
“No need to thank me.”
Luo Mingchen patted him proudly on the shoulder.
“Your comprehension is excellent.”
“Just keep practicing.”
“If there’s ever anything you don’t understand, the two of you can always come ask me.”
As a senior Esper whose ability far exceeded theirs…
Luo Mingchen couldn’t help feeling just a tiny bit proud of himself.
Now that everything had finished, Lan Yiheng and Zhu Ruo stepped forward once more to express their gratitude.
Just as Luo Mingchen was preparing to leave, he suddenly looked toward Zhu Ruo.
“Oh, right.”
“You don’t have this problem, do you?”
Zhu Ruo glanced affectionately at Lan Yiheng before smiling.
“I’m not a member of the Sand Tribe.”
“Oh.”
Out of habit, Luo Mingchen reached over and held Huo Yan’s hand.
Just as they were leaving, he turned back once more.
“In the future, you might eventually notice something resembling a gemstone forming where your internal energy gathers.”
“That’s perfectly normal.”
Lan Yiheng looked puzzled.
“A gemstone?”
“Mhm…”
Luo Mingchen scratched his cheek.
“Anyway… don’t get curious and try digging it out.”
The father and son: “……”
Who would split open their own head…
Just to dig out a crystal?
That would simply be suicide.
After resolving the matter, Luo Mingchen felt much lighter.
Honestly…
If Huo Xinyue someday wanted a life partner…
Lan Fei…
Wasn’t actually a bad choice.
He was handsome.
His family was wealthy.
He treated her well.
He could protect her.
Most importantly…
Wolf King Fortress practiced strict monogamy.
There were no concubines.
Nor were there bedchamber attendants.
Within Wolf King Fortress, whether man or woman, anyone who betrayed their marriage or committed domestic abuse faced extraordinarily severe punishment before being expelled from the city.
Those guilty of particularly serious offenses could even receive the death penalty.
That alone…
Was exceedingly rare in this world.
The group remained at Wolf King Fortress until shortly before the New Year before finally beginning their journey home.
Several wagons overflowed with gold, silver, and precious gems.
They had also been gifted a great quantity of fine, thick furs.
After all…
Such things were seldom needed in Wolf King Fortress.
Besides those…
There were countless New Year gifts as well.
Before leaving, Huo Xinyue hugged Lan Fei tightly, clearly reluctant to part.
“Big Brother…”
“Come home with me.”
Lan Fei pursed his lips.
Gently patting her back, he replied,
“I’ll come visit you after some time.”
Huo Xinyue looked slightly disappointed.
“You have to come.”
“I will.”
Watching them, Zhu Ruo laughed.
“Yueyue…”
“How about staying here instead?”
“You could become Fei’er’s wife.”
The words were spoken half in jest…
And half in earnest.
She truly adored little girls.
Unfortunately…
She had never been able to have one.
Perhaps…
Now that the curse had been broken…
She might even become pregnant again.
Huo Xinyue’s little face filled with conflict.
Luo Mingchen, feeling distinctly sour, had assumed she would immediately agree.
Instead, she heard the little girl say,
“No, Auntie.”
“If I stayed here… Daddy, Little Daddy, Big Brother, and Second Brother would all miss me.”
“When Yueyue grows up and earns lots and lots of money…”
“I’ll marry Big Brother and bring him home.”
“Hahahaha!”
Hua Yaoyue burst into uncontrollable laughter.
“Oh my goodness, little Yueyue!”
“What magnificent ambition!”
Marrying the Young City Lord of Wolf King Fortress…
Just how enormous would the bride price have to be?
Everyone else struggled to suppress their laughter as well.
Children truly said the cutest things.
Huo Xinyue didn’t understand why everyone was laughing.
So she simply laughed along with them.
Lan Yiheng smiled warmly.
“Very well.”
“We’ll prepare Fei’er’s dowry.”
“We’ll wait for you to come marry him.”
Huo Xinyue nodded vigorously.
“Mhm!”
After climbing into the carriage, she continued waving enthusiastically.
“Bye-bye, Big Brother!”
“Don’t forget to come visit!”
Lan Fei rode his great black wolf alongside their convoy for a very long distance before finally turning back.
Seeing that Huo Xinyue truly didn’t seem to be joking, Luo Mingchen poked her shoulder.
“Yueyue…”
“Why do you like Big Brother so much?”
Huo Xinyue answered as though it were the most obvious thing in the world.
“Because Big Brother is pretty.”
Even Huo Xiang couldn’t help saying,
“Yueyue…”
“You can’t choose someone just because they’re good-looking.”
“But Second Brother…”
Huo Xinyue replied with utmost seriousness,
“If they’re not good-looking… looking at them for decades would be really painful.”
Luo Mingchen was stunned.
“Yueyue…”
“Who taught you that?”
“The pretty big sister!”
Huo Xinyue grinned brightly.
“When I grow up…”
“I’m going to marry both Big Brother and Pretty Big Sister.”
Everyone: “……”
Luo Mingchen sighed helplessly.
“You can only marry one person.”
“Oh…”
Huo Xinyue struggled with the decision for a while before finally letting out a little sigh.
“Then…”
“I’ll marry Big Brother.”
Luo Mingchen exchanged a glance with Huo Yan.
As expected…
She really did like Lan Fei more.
Once they left Wolf King Fortress and once again felt the bitter cold outside, Luo Mingchen said to Huo Yan,
“In the future, when we have time…”
“Let’s buy a house in Wolf King Fortress.”
“We’ll spend every winter there.”
Huo Yan handed him a hand warmer.
“Alright.”
Although Luo Mingchen could regulate his own body temperature if necessary…
He still accepted the hand warmer Huo Yan had thoughtfully prepared for him with fresh charcoal.
Each of the three children carried one as well.
Upon returning to Cold City…
Everything resumed as usual.
Nothing particularly noteworthy had happened.
The only piece of news worth mentioning was that Jiang Sheng had been promoted to General and assigned to assist the City Lord in governing Ice City.
After hearing that the couple had returned, Hu Zhongyi came over to visit and brought up the matter as well.
“His Majesty is willing to promote even a military strategist…”
“Yet he still refuses to promote you.”
“How is that reasonable?”
Huo Yan remained completely unconcerned.
“We’ll simply wait.”
If Luo Mingchen hadn’t known that Hu Zhongyi was genuinely straightforward and free of ulterior motives…
He might have mistaken those words for an attempt to sow discord.
Hu Zhongyi nodded.
“You’re right.”
“Continue working hard for a while longer.”
“With enough achievements, everything will naturally work itself out.”
“Time reveals both a horse’s endurance and a person’s true character.”
“One day, His Majesty will surely understand.”
After a brief pause, he asked,
“So?”
“You two went to Wolf King Fortress.”
“Did you gather the information you wanted?”
Huo Yan replied,
“We obtained the price lists.”
“The City Lord also promised to help promote Cold City’s market.”
“In a few days, they’ll send people to Cold City to purchase a batch of goods to sell in Wolf King Fortress.”
Luo Mingchen glanced at Huo Yan before turning back to Hu Zhongyi.
“So now we need to choose products that are distinctive…”
“And that can also be stored for long periods.”
After hearing that, Hu Zhongyi nodded thoughtfully.
“That makes sense.”
“Do you already have any suitable candidates?”
After all…
Cold City possessed quite a variety of products.
Especially now that Luo Mingchen had trained so many cooks capable of preparing delicious foods.
Unfortunately…
Many of those dishes were only truly enjoyable while served piping hot—
Roast duck, for example.