I told you to shut up long ago. Didn't you hear me?

The room was filled with brilliant shades of red, woven from precious silks into endless streams of double-happiness characters. A faint fragrance drifted through the air—a peculiar blend of wine, roasted meat, and musk that easily induced a sense of intoxication and mental relaxation.

Amidst joyous celebrations, the newlyweds were guided to bow to heaven and earth. The middle-aged woman presiding over the ceremony had long since noticed the impatience on the young master's face, and she smiled inwardly, thinking to herself that youth was indeed impatient—so eager to slip away and revel in the bridal chamber? Still, the bride was undoubtedly striking and captivating. Rumor had it she had a previous suitor whose proposal had failed, and that person had also been exceptionally lovely. However, that delicate frame had not yet fully matured, and plucking the flower too early would inevitably have been a waste of pristine beauty. This bride, on the other hand, was quite different. No wonder the young master had agreed so readily and was in such a frantic rush.

As for the young maiden's own wishes, not a single soul paid them any mind. Trapped in this world, how could one possibly expect things to always go their way? Besides, one could hardly imagine why anyone would be unwilling. Although the young master was somewhat boorish, he was, after all, the son of a Demon Commander. To marry him was her great good fortune.

Just as the proceedings were moving along smoothly, a sharp, crisp shout shattered the atmosphere. Everyone froze instantly, turning their heads in collective shock and bewilderment toward the source of the voice.

Liu Ping.

*Boom.*

Hearing that familiar voice, Yingning felt as though something had exploded within the depths of her mind. In an instant, she was overwhelmed by an indescribable sensation, her thoughts plunging into a complete blank, leaving her entirely bewildered. She had no idea why he was here, nor why he chose to interfere, and at this very moment, she had no capacity to think at all. Earlier, she had indeed felt a strange sense of familiarity, as if someone she knew was present—she had even suspected it might be him, though she had instantly mocked herself for indulging in such wishful thinking. Yet, she never imagined she would truly hear that familiar voice.

A chaotic flurry of thoughts and guesses flashed through her mind in a fleeting instant.

Even if he were here, what could he possibly change? After all, he was merely at the Second Realm of Human Immortality. Even if he could defeat that Earth Demon, could he possibly triumph over the Demon Commander Dust himself? He would only be plunging himself into mortal danger. He was such a shrewd and cautious person; how could he possibly risk offending a Demon Commander for the sake of a maiden he had only met twice? Yet, why on earth would he cry out to stop the ceremony? Was he trying to ascertain the truth, or was this merely reckless folly?

While she was lost in a flurry of chaotic thoughts, standing completely motionless, the others reacted quite differently.

Demon Commander Dust remained relatively composed. He narrowed his eyes slightly, a flash of cold light gleaming within them as a majestic aura surged from his entire body—the full, oppressive might of a Demon Commander. Although he knew this young man possessed quite a few tricks and a formidable share of great fortune, he still did not believe the fellow stood any chance of winning. Arriving here at such an opportune moment, he had already suspected the youth harbored ulterior motives; now, by speaking up, those suspicions were entirely confirmed.

His son, Huitu, however, lacked such restraint. He had already harbored a deep grievance against this young man, and to be interrupted so abruptly now filled him with burning fury. He shouted in a cold, harsh tone, "What kind of abject wretch are you, and what could you possibly have to say?"

Feeling his father's full pressure erupt and pin the young man in place, Huitu grew all the more brazen. "Is this a place for a scum like you to speak? Allowing you to stay here and witness the ceremony was already an immense grace, yet you dare to open your mouth and disrupt the wedding rituals? What is the meaning of this? Are you courting death?"

Surrounding them, the demon generals and spirits dared not even draw a deep breath amidst the tense atmosphere. Without a sound, they closed in, tightly surrounding Liu Ping from all directions.

Just moments ago, he had been treated as an honored guest. Now, because of his interruption of the wedding and the young master's boiling rage, he had been instantly reduced into a target for everyone to attack. Yet Liu Ping cared not in the least for such posturing. Hearing Huitu's relentless stream of sarcastic insults, he felt no anger at all, simply saying flatly, "Shut your mouth."

The icy words fell from his lips, carrying an unquestionable, regal authority. The sentence was so sharp and forceful that it choked off Dust's impending fury, leaving him utterly speechless. Dust was instantly provoked into a blazing rage; from birth until now, he had never been treated with such utter disrespect. Just as he was about to bark back, his father’s calm voice intervened, "Enough, Tu'er. Be quiet for a moment."

Huitu’s expression flickered with uncertainty, sensing dimly that there was more to this situation than met the eye. After a moment of hesitation, he obeyed his father’s command, clamped his mouth shut, and took two steps backward. Since his father was willing to step in personally, this death-seeking fool was undoubtedly doomed to a burial without a corpse.

Dust narrowed his eyes to inspect Liu Ping closely, asking indifferently, "What is your business here?"

Liu Ping replied, "I wish to know who the bride is."

Dust asked, "Why must you know? And what if you do?"

"She appears to be my cousin."

Hearing this, Dust frowned slightly, murmuring under his breath, "Your cousin... Ah, yes, she is... Come to think of it, she might very well be. Hmph..."

He then raised his head and asked, "And suppose she is your cousin? What of it?"

"Naturally, I must ask whether she is willing to marry your son, or if she is being coerced."

"Is that so?" Dust let out a cold laugh, his fingers subtly forming an incantation behind his sleeve. He turned his gaze toward the bride and demanded, "Are you entering this marriage of your own free will? Speak up clearly for him to hear."

From beneath the scarlet bridal veil came a voice tinged with a faint, unnatural hoarseness: "This is entirely of my own free will. Young Master Liu, I beg you not to meddle in this."

"Yingning, is that you?"

"It is I."

"Are you truly willing to marry this man?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because I love him."

At that moment, the entire face of Yingning, hidden beneath the red veil, twisted into a grotesque mask. Her once delicate and refined features vanished entirely, replaced by the look of someone enduring a wrenching, agonizing struggle as tears streamed uncontrollably down her cheeks.

Logically speaking, her voice should have trembled violently, yet her physically hijacked body continued to mechanically emit those flat, monotonous words. This outcome filled her with an extraordinary sense of desolation. The seals imprinted upon her flesh had been personally cast by Old Grandmother Hu San herself; she never could have imagined they would be traded away to the Hui family just like that.

Was this her outright sale? Ah! What a ruthless cruelty!

Liu Ping's previously calm expression inevitably darkened, and in disbelief, he repeated his question, "You love him? With me here, you have nothing to fear! A mere Demon Commander is nothing in my eyes!"

Such breathtaking arrogance! Everyone present was struck dumb with shock upon hearing these words. This Liu Ping was utterly brazen! As for the Demon Commander Dust, his face twisted into a ferocious scowl. It had been a very long time since he had encountered someone so audacious. Yet, since the youth spoke with such confidence, he must possess some hidden trump card. Realizing this, Dust quickly reined in his temper and composed himself.

Beneath the scarlet veil, the fair maiden heard the question without the slightest hesitation—nor was any hesitation possible for her—and immediately answered, "Of course I love him. If I did not love him, would I love you instead?"

"You can actually utter such words... Very well. Since this is your own wish, it is not my place to interfere." Liu Ping shook his head slightly and said indifferently, "Looking at it this way, it almost seems as though I have played the villain..."

The person most shaken at this moment was not Liu Ping, but Huitu. *She loves me?* For a moment, his heart was flooded with an intoxicating wave of supreme happiness, swelling with boundless arrogance and triumph. He pointed straight at Liu Ping's nose and cursed, "You were a villain from the very start! Did you really take me for the bad guy? Ha! Who do you think you are? Get lost this instant!"

Hearing this, Liu Ping fell silent. His gaze swept across the entire room, meeting only eyes filled with extreme disgust from everyone present. And indeed, it made sense; two people deeply in love were about to celebrate their grand wedding, only for some meddling busybody to crash the ceremony midway—how could anyone not feel aggrieved? Such anger was entirely justified.

Dust asked indifferently, "Now that matters have reached this point, what else do you hope to accomplish? If you wish to leave, shouldn't you offer an apology? Unlike you, I am not devoid of manners. Once you offer a sincere apology, I will still forgive you."

Liu Ping shook his head, ignoring Dust altogether. Instead, he looked straight at Yingning and said quietly, "Let me see your face."

"Impudent!" Hearing this, a piercing glare shot from Dust's eyes as he shouted coldly, "Do not push your luck! How can a bride's face be shown to another man?"

Huitu reacted as though someone had stepped on his tail, instantly bristling with rage. He violently unsheathed the heavy saber at his waist, pointed the blade directly at Liu Ping, and roared viciously, "Giving you face and you still refuse to take it! Your insolence has gone far enough! You wretched scum, don't imagine a mere scholar can afford to act so wildly here! You are nothing more than useless trash! Today, you won't be leaving this place alive. I'll turn you into human-meat steamed buns to treat everyone here as an apology for your insolence! You—"

Before Huitu could finish his tirade, a pale blue giant hand abruptly materialized out of thin air, seizing his entire body in a tight grip. An unprecedented premonition of mortal danger surged within him, making his scalp tingle fiercely. He tried to struggle, but could not budge even an inch. Instantly, he was consumed by boundless terror, staring in utter horror at the source of the attack.

"I told you to shut your mouth earlier." Liu Ping finally raised his head, gazing coldly at Huitu. "Did you not hear me?"