While Ning Rongrong was getting ready, Tianlin for once donned formal attire. He usually disliked such clothes—after two lifetimes as a commoner, he preferred casual wear. But today was his wedding, so he couldn't neglect his appearance.
"Hey, not bad, you look sharp—almost as handsome as I was back then." Yu Tianheng clapped Tianlin on the shoulder with a grin.
Dugu Yan shot him a disdainful look. "Don't be shameless, Xiao Tian is way more handsome than you ever were."
The couple were there to help as Tianlin's brother and sister-in-law. Tianlin had no blood siblings, and even Gu Ran and Ma Hongjun called him boss, so the most fitting people for the brother and sister-in-law roles were Yu Tianheng and Dugu Yan, who had also been captain and vice-captain of the Emperor Battle Team.
Tianlin gazed into the distance. In his heart, the only one who truly felt like an older sibling was that person who disguised herself as a man. But she could never appear at his wedding in this life.
Night gradually fell. As mentioned before, the wedding was very simple, held in Tianlin's little courtyard—mainly to let the two become husband and wife before their separation.
Once everything was settled in the future, Tianlin would hold a grander wedding. Qian Renxue had once said: "To receive the blessings of the entire continent." That deeply resonated with him.
This was why Tianlin cared about reputation and disliked tyranny. Conquering by force would be easier, but forcing fake blessings was meaningless to him.
War between Spirit Hall and the two empires was inevitable. If he could unify the continent in a stable way while saving as many civilians as possible, then the sincere blessings of a grateful populace would be what he truly desired.
The marriage customs of the Douluo Continent were far less complicated than those of Tianlin's original world—no heaven and earth worship, just respectful bows to the elders.
Tianlin received his bride from Ye Lingling and Zhu Zhuqing, then led her to stand before Ning Fengzhi and his own parents.
"Tianlin, my daughter is yours now. There's much to be done, so I'm allowing a simple ceremony this time. But in the future, you must hold a grand wedding to make up for Rongrong. Understand?" Ning Fengzhi instructed.
"Don't worry, Father-in-law, I promise," Tianlin answered firmly.
"If you do hold such a wedding, I'll want to join in too, and redo my own with Xiao Tian and Rongrong. Tianheng, did you hear me?" Dugu Yan teased.
"I heard, I heard, don't worry, Yan." Yu Tianheng agreed quickly—this was no time to upset his wife, or he'd be locked out for months.
Bai Chenxiang, Ye Lingling, Huanyin, and the other girls all perked up. They wanted to join the grand wedding too—a group wedding, with Tianlin and Ning Rongrong as the leads, but even being a supporting character would make any woman envious.
Only Zhu Zhuqing was indifferent—she didn't even have a boyfriend. Still, envy flickered in her eyes.
Tianlin then knelt with Ning Rongrong before the three elders. Under Chen Xin's witness, they bowed nine times, symbolizing eternal union.
Gu Ran and Ye Lingling brought cups of tea; Tianlin served Ning Fengzhi, while Ning Rongrong served Tianlin's parents.
"Father-in-law, please drink the tea."
"Father, Mother, please drink the tea."
Ning Fengzhi took a sip and offered blessings. As the sect master, he was good at keeping calm even in joy—a skill honed by the many surprises Tianlin had brought since joining.
Tianlin's parents, though, were overjoyed. Their son was powerful, married, and accomplished—what more could they ask for?
After the ceremony, everyone sat down. Yu Tianheng raised his cup. "Brothers, today is Tianlin and Rongrong's big day—let's drink till we drop!"
Everyone raised their cups, ready to drink, when a frantic voice rang out.
"Wait for me!"
Oslo burst in, tearing off his black cloak, snatched Yu Tianheng's wine cup, and downed it. "Good wine! You heartless lot, starting without me!"
Tianlin was surprised. "Oslo, why did you come back so suddenly? Wasn't Yu Luomian up to something?"
"No worries. To attend your wedding, I already took care of him." Oslo said with satisfaction.
If you can't solve the problem, solve the person causing the problem—indeed, very effective.
"You what? You killed my second grandpa? That was rash!" Yu Tianheng was shocked, but not angry. He'd never been close to Yu Luomian, especially after learning he'd poisoned his grandfather. If not for Tianlin wanting to use him for information on the real mastermind, Tianheng would have dealt with him already.
"Hmph, it's all your fault for starting without me." Oslo sat down, grabbed a wine jar, and began drinking, sulking.
Seeing this, Yu Tianheng almost lost it, but Dugu Yan quickly soothed him. "Alright, don't be mad. That's just Oslo's personality. It's only a family traitor. We've got plenty of evidence of his betrayal. Grandpa won't blame you."
Tianlin and Ning Rongrong smiled at each other and came over with their cups. Ning Rongrong said, "Sorry, Oslo. This is just a small wedding. We'll have a big one later and make you the best man."
"Really? Now that's more like it! Come, Tianlin, Rongrong, let's drink." With the newlyweds personally apologizing, Oslo couldn't stay mad—his mood improved instantly.
He didn't mention the intelligence he'd gathered—he had the sense to know that tonight was the couple's wedding night, and nothing should ruin the mood.
The banquet was joyful and lively. Tianlin's friends, unlike those from his past life, knew he never drank, so rather than forcing him, they stopped him from drinking too much, lest he be worn out later.
After a few rounds, everyone was sprawled around the courtyard, but Tianlin and Ning Rongrong returned to their room.
"Brother Sword, what should I call you now? Husband? Darling?" Ning Rongrong asked shyly, her cheeks flushing a delicate pink as she gazed up at Tianlin through lowered lashes.
Tianlin smiled, his eyes roaming appreciatively over his wife. "Just call me Brother Sword. I've gotten used to it over the years." His hand reached out to caress her cheek, sending shivers down her spine.
Ning Rongrong nodded, leaning into his touch. "Alright, after tonight I'll go back to that. But tonight, I'll call you husband." Her voice dropped to a sultry whisper. "If it feels weird, I'll just add 'Sword'."
Tianlin was speechless—"Husband Sword"? That sounded odd. But as he looked at Ning Rongrong's lips, forming those words, he found himself growing aroused.
Seeing Ning Rongrong's mischievous smile, he realized that even as a married woman, she hadn't lost her playful streak. His body responded to that playfulness, heat pooling in his lower abdomen.
But tonight, Tianlin finally had the right to tease her openly. He pulled her close, their bodies flush against each other. "Well then, wife," he murmured against her ear, "shall we see what other names you might call me before the night is through?"
He gently tapped both their foreheads, sealing off their spiritual seas. The lights went out, plunging them into darkness broken only by the soft glow of moonlight filtering through the windows.
In the dim light, Tianlin's hands found the ties of Ning Rongrong's robes, slowly undoing them. She gasped as the cool air hit her skin, her nipples hardening into tight buds. Tianlin's mouth found hers in a passionate kiss as he lowered her onto the bed.
"Husband," Ning Rongrong moaned as Tianlin's lips trailed down her neck, across her collarbone, and finally closed around a sensitive nipple. Her back arched off the bed, pressing herself closer to him.
Tianlin's hand slid down her body, finding the wet heat between her thighs. He groaned at how ready she was for him. "My beautiful wife," he whispered against her skin as he positioned himself at her entrance.
As he slowly pushed into her, joining them as one for the first time, Ning Rongrong cried out, "Oh! Husband Sword!"
Tianlin couldn't help but chuckle even as he began to move within her. It seemed the nickname would stick after all. But as Ning Rongrong's legs wrapped around his waist, urging him deeper, he found he didn't mind at all.
Tianlin's chuckle turned into a deep groan as he sank fully into Ning Rongrong's tight, wet heat. "Gods, you feel amazing," he breathed, holding still for a moment to savor the sensation.
Ning Rongrong's fingers dug into his shoulders, her body trembling with need. "Please, husband," she whimpered, rolling her hips against his. "I need you to move."
Tianlin didn't need to be told twice. He began to thrust, slowly at first, then building to a steady rhythm that had Ning Rongrong gasping and moaning beneath him. Her legs tightened around his waist, pulling him deeper with each stroke.
Tianlin growled, nipping at her earlobe. "All those years of teasing, and now you're finally mine."
"Yes!" Ning Rongrong cried out, her back arching off the bed. "Oh, Brother Sword – husband – I've wanted this for so long!"
Tianlin's hand slid between their bodies, finding the sensitive bundle of nerves at the apex of her thighs. He circled it with his thumb, causing Ning Rongrong to buck wildly against him.
Ning Rongrong's cries grew louder, more desperate. "H-husband Sword!" she wailed, her body tensing beneath him. "I'm going to – ah!"
Her release crashed over her like a tidal wave, her inner muscles clamping down on Tianlin's length. The sight and feel of her coming undone pushed him over the edge, and he buried himself to the hilt as he spilled inside her with a hoarse shout.
As they lay tangled together, catching their breath, Ning Rongrong giggled softly. "I think I like calling you Husband Sword after all," she murmured, pressing a kiss to his chest.
Tianlin laughed, running his fingers through her silky hair. "As you wish, my dear. But the night is still young, and I intend to make you forget all words except 'more' and 'please'."
Ning Rongrong's eyes sparkled with renewed desire. "Is that a challenge, Husband Sword?"
"Oh yes," Tianlin grinned, rolling them over so she straddled his hips. "And I always rise to a challenge."
As Ning Rongrong sank down onto him once more, both of them groaning in pleasure, she knew that married life with her Brother Sword would be anything but boring. And as the night wore on, filled with passionate cries and whispered endearments, she found herself falling even more deeply in love with the man who was now her husband in every sense of the word.
Ning Rongrong's thighs trembled as she rode Tianlin, her hips rolling in a sensual dance that had them both panting. Tianlin's hands gripped her waist, guiding her movements as he thrust up to meet her.
He groaned, eyes fixed on the mesmerizing sight of her breasts bouncing with each movement.
Ning Rongrong threw her head back, long hair cascading down her back as she quickened her pace. "Oh, Husband Sword~," she moaned.
Tianlin sat up suddenly, wrapping an arm around her waist to keep her steady as he captured a pert nipple in his mouth. Ning Rongrong cried out at the new sensation, her inner walls clenching around him.
"More," she begged, fingers tangling in his hair. "Please, I need more!"
Grinning against her breast, Tianlin rolled them over once again, pinning Ning Rongrong beneath him. He hooked her legs over his shoulders, the new angle allowing him to penetrate even deeper.
He growled, pounding into her with renewed vigor.
"Ah~!"
Ning Rongrong wailed, her hands fisting in the sheets.
Tianlin could feel his own release building, but he was determined to make Ning Rongrong come undone at least once more before he allowed himself to let go. He slipped a hand between them, his thumb finding her sensitive nub and circling it relentlessly.
Ning Rongrong's eyes flew wide, her mouth opening in a silent scream as the dual stimulation pushed her over the edge. Her entire body convulsed, inner muscles rippling around Tianlin's length as wave after wave of pleasure crashed over her.
The sight and feel of his wife's intense orgasm was too much for Tianlin. With a hoarse cry of "Rongrong!", he buried himself to the hilt one last time, his seed spilling deep inside her as his own climax overtook him.
They collapsed together, a tangle of sweaty limbs and heaving breaths. Tianlin peppered soft kisses along Ning Rongrong's shoulder and neck as they slowly came down from their high.
"I love you," Ning Rongrong murmured, turning her head to capture Tianlin's lips in a tender kiss. "My Brother Sword, my husband, my everything."
Tianlin's heart swelled with emotion. "And I love you, my dear Rongrong. More than words can express."
As they lay there, basking in the afterglow of their lovemaking, Tianlin's hand absently stroked Ning Rongrong's flat stomach. "Perhaps," he mused softly, "our union will soon bear fruit. Would you like that, Rongrong? To carry our child?"
Ning Rongrong's eyes sparkled with joy and a hint of mischief. "I would love nothing more," she replied, then added with a giggle, "But perhaps we should practice a bit more, just to be sure?"
Tianlin laughed, feeling his desire stirring once again. "As my lady wife commands," he said, pulling her close for another passionate kiss.
As the night wore on, their lovemaking alternated between frenzied passion and tender exploration. They mapped each other's bodies with hands and lips, discovering secret spots that made the other gasp and moan. And when the first light of dawn began to creep through the windows, they finally fell into an exhausted, satisfied sleep, wrapped in each other's arms – husband and wife, lovers and partners, united in body and soul.
…
"Skydream, why did Tianlin turn off the lights? Xiao Bai can't see anything." In the spiritual sea, Xiao Bai asked in confusion.
"Don't ask so many questions, kid," Skydream Iceworm scolded. It couldn't let Xiao Bai learn the wrong things, or Snow Empress would kill it.
"But Skydream, why are you wrapped around me?"
"I am afraid of the dark! I don't know how long Xiao Tian will keep me locked up this time. The world is getting crazy."