Chapter 459 - Qin Jian’s Wedding

In the central area of the imperial city stood a huge and majestic palace, occupying an extensive area and radiating prosperity and grandeur. Some people even referred to it as the "little royal palace."

This towering palace was the residence of the Qin Clan, the imperial city's foremost clan.

The Qin Clan mansion sprawled in a cone shape around an enormous martial arts arena, which served as the entrance to the estate. Setting foot on the arena was akin to entering the Qin Clan’s domain.

Currently, the Qin Clan was in a festive mood.

Doors and windows were adorned with large red double-happiness characters, and even the imposing stone lions at the mansion gates were draped in bright red silk, symbolizing the celebration.

The Qin Clan mansion seemed like a market, filled with people coming and going.

These attendees were either high-ranking officials, distinguished people, representatives of martial clans, or wealthy merchant families.

The Qin Clan was the number one clan of the imperial city, with deep foundations and strength. Even the royal family had to show them some respect.

Qin Jian, the young patriarch of the Qin Clan, was hosting his wedding. Every respectable figure in the imperial city had come to celebrate and offer generous gifts. Those without any status, they weren't even allowed within three streets of the Qin Clan.

Today, the Qin Clan’s gates were wide open to welcome members from great clans and dignitaries.

A steward stood at the entrance, announcing each new arrival and their congratulatory gift in a loud, resonant voice that spread over a kilometer away. This ensured that even those not qualified to attend Qin Jian’s wedding could hear the proceedings.

Inside the Qin Clan mansion, the atmosphere was a sea of celebration. All the people here contributed to a lively and vibrant scene.

Numerous high platforms had been erected around the martial arts arena, and crowds of people were seated on them.

Among those seated were the seniors of the Qin Clan, as well as members of prestigious clans and nobles of high status. They were all great figures who could exercise great powers in the imperial city.

Additionally, many young men and women were present on the high platforms, all spirited and talented individuals who were friends of Qin Jian and Nangong Qingshuang.

As the festivities continued, a group approached from afar, causing a stir among the crowd.

“Look, it’s the Calm Sun Marquis Chu Feng and the Princess Consort Ming Ruyue. [1] I heard that the Calm Sun Marquis advanced to the second level of the Core Formation realm three months ago.”

The Calm Sun Marquis was a noble, a true member of the royal family. With his esteemed status, he represented the royal family, commanding respect from even the four great clans.

The crowd suddenly burst into a commotion again as another group walked over in a powerful and imposing manner.

“Oh crud, look over there, quick! The Yang Clan’s patriarch, Yang Rong, and the Su Clan’s patriarch, Su Yihai, are also here. Moreover, the Yang Clan and the Su Clan are walking together.”

The Yang Clan and Su Clan were two of the four great clans of the imperial city, alongside the Qin Clan and the Nangong Clan. They were the symbols of strength and status.

While them attending the wedding wasn’t anything significant, the fact that they had come together was. The crowd was intrigued by how close they looked to each other.

Although Qin Jian was the young patriarch of the Qin Clan, he was only a junior. Yang Rong and Su Yihai controlled the Yang Clan and the Su Clan and were figures on the level of Qin Wudi and Nangong Xuan.

They could have just sent a Core Formation realm elder to pass on the congratulatory gift for a junior’s wedding, but those patriarch-level figures actually came together. They had given the Qin Clan and the Nangong Clan ample face by personally attending.

Observant individuals also recognized that Yang Rong and Su Yihai appearing together signaled an alliance between the Yang Clan and the Su Clan.

Given the marriage between Qin Jian and Nangong Qingshuang united the powerful Qin and Nangong Clans, other clans needed to form alliances to avoid being jointly suppressed by this new powerhouse. Thus, the Yang and Su Clans' alliance was a strategic move to counterbalance this union.

A tall figure went up to them. It was none other than the Qin Clan’s patriarch, Qin Wudi.

“Haha, Brother Yang and Brother Su have personally come to our Qin Clan. Your presence truly brings light to my humble dwelling.”

“You’re too polite, Brother Qin.” Yang Rong and Su Yihai smiled faintly and said, “Qin Jian and Nangong Qingshuang’s wedding has attracted the world’s attention. They are a perfect match, a golden boy and jade maiden, truly enviable.”

“Hahahaha, Brother Yang, Brother Su, please take a seat.” Qin Wudi led Yang Rong and Su Yihai to the main seats.

The crowd gossiped among themselves, their eyes flickering with curiosity and speculation. Although they couldn't get close to the inner circle of those great clans, they had a clear understanding of the imperial city's power dynamics.

“The marriage between the Qin Clan and the Nangong Clan has put a lot of pressure on the Yang Clan and Su Clan. Otherwise, the two patriarchs wouldn’t have come personally, not to mention together. They are sending a signal to the Qin Clan and the Nangong Clan.”

“As if that wasn’t as obvious as the nose on your face. As the strongest clan of the imperial city, the Qin Clan’s overall strength is already a head above the other three great clans. And we all know that the Qin Clan’s matriarch has ties to the royal family. This marriage will only make them stronger. So, why wouldn’t the other clans feel a sense of crisis?”

“The Nangong Clan’s Sun Bloodline will likely also borrow the Qin Clan’s strength to increase their authority. Perhaps Nangong Ling will become the patriarch of the Nangong Clan and take control of it.”

“......”

The Nangong Clan members were also present on the high platforms. While the Sun Bloodline members were excited, those from the Moon and Star Bloodlines appeared somewhat downcast. They also knew that Nangong Ling would leverage the Qin Clan's power to become the patriarch of the Nangong Clan. This would significantly reduce their influence within the clan.

The Moon Bloodline, in particular, wore gloomy expressions. After many difficulties, they had finally been on the way up, but Qin Jian's wedding threatened to snuff out their progress.

Time passed, and people streamed in and out of the Qin Clan's gates.

Whenever people cried out in harmony, the crowd knew that some great figure from some prestigious clan of the imperial city had arrived.

As noon approached, the Qin Clan's martial arts arena was packed with a sea of people. The lavish banquet tables were already fully seated. Everyone was waiting for the bride and groom.

A Qin Clan elder on the high platform suddenly stood up and raised his hands, signaling the crowd to be quiet. Gradually, the chatter subsided until the arena was silent.

The Qin Clan elder cleared his throat lightly and announced, “Our Qin Clan is deeply honored to have every one of you come today. I’m sure the wait has already made us all impatient. Now, let’s invite the bride and groom to the stage.”

Suddenly, a faint, indifferent voice shook the skies.

“Hoho, it’s Qin Jian’s big wedding day today, so how could you leave us out? We’re here to ask for a cup of toast from the Qin Clan. Surely, you won’t reject us, will you?”

1. Calm Sun Marquis is also the emperor’s younger brother, and a first-rank prince. That’s why his wife, Ming Ruyue is a princess consort. ☜