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"Daoist Arden from Yunkui Summit—Arden Xu. That's correct, yes?"
Madam Hoshimi looked at Arden with a smiling expression unique to fox Thirens. Miyabi could make the same expression as well, though Arden had never seen her use it.
She had already reviewed Arden's background many times while recuperating. An orphan by birth, he had relied on Ju Fufu for survival, later joined Yunkui Summit, became a hero who helped save New Eridu, and after gaining fame, sought neither wealth nor status. Instead, he accepted the mayoral privilege of "marrying multiple wives," and ultimately married Grandmaster Yixuan.
What a true man of temperament!
Madam Hoshimi sighed inwardly. Reading Arden's profile had felt like watching the protagonist of a film.
"My surname is Xu, my given name Arden. I come from Yunkui Summit. That's correct!"
"Good child, how did you and our Miyabi first meet?"
…
The term "good child" gave Arden a strangely familiar warmth.
Before transmigrating, he had grown up in Northeast China, where older women often affectionately called young people "kid."
"The first time was when I accompanied my master to test the VR simulated combat system. Miyabi was one of the testers as well. Later… when we met again, I was accompanying Yiji to obtain entry authorization for Hollow Zero. On the way, we encountered the Overlord-class Ethereal Nidhogg… At the time, Miyabi was executing a mission to pursue it, so…"
Arden briefly described the several times he had encountered Miyabi.
"Castration training for lecherous men?Pffft…"
"A three-stage human rocket launcher?And you used that to eliminate the Overlord-class Ethereal Nidhogg?"
As they listened, Madam Hoshimi and Souichirou looked both baffled and amused.
It had to be said—the way Arden and Miyabi met was unbelievably bizarre.
"Mom~~ Dad~~!"
Teased by her parents, Miyabi flushed with embarrassment.
"And after that? How did you two start dating?"
At that moment, Madam Hoshimi's innate feminine curiosity surfaced. There was no woman who didn't enjoy a bit of gossip—especially when it involved her own daughter.
"It wasn't really much… At the time, Miyabi had been framed by Bringer and was injured. I was honestly just joking…"
With nothing to hide, Arden explained the matter of the "betrothal gift."
"I didn't expect Miyabi to swallow the elixir without hesitation."
"Ohhh~!"
Madam Hoshimi's eyes shimmered, her lips parting slightly in satisfaction at this delightful piece of gossip.
"I can tell Miyabi definitely didn't act on impulse. She must have had feelings for Daoist Arden long ago."
Miyabi had always been strong-willed since childhood. If she had not been willing, she would rather have died than trade herself for survival.
Unless her parents or family were involved, she would never agree to something under coercion.
"Is… is that so?"
Arden looked at Miyabi in surprise.
She had feelings for him early on? How had he not noticed? Was her expression simply too stoic to tell?
"Mom~~!"
Having her feelings exposed, Miyabi's face turned crimson.
"Alright, alright."
Madam Hoshimi soothed her daughter. "It's perfectly normal for a girl to like someone. I think you and Daoist Arden are quite well matched."
For years, Madam Hoshimi's greatest wish had been for Miyabi to live an ordinary, happy life. Now, "ordinary" seemed unlikely—but as for "happy"… with someone as powerful as Arden to rely on, surely, he could protect Miyabi's happiness.
"Husband, you should say something too."
Madam Hoshimi nudged Souichirou, who had remained silent. She had spoken at length; as the father-in-law, he needed to express something as well.
"Ah? Oh!"
Snapped out of his thoughts, Souichirou looked at Arden. His calm gaze carried a hint of scrutiny.
"Arden, what plans do you have for your future with Miyabi?"
A perfectly ordinary question between father-in-law and son-in-law.
"I intend to choose an auspicious day to marry, then have several children. As for everything else, Father-in-law and Mother-in-law need not worry. Yunkui Summit is also quite formidable."
The earlier "Uncle" and "Auntie" had now changed to Father-in-law and Mother-in-law.
"Very good."
Souichirou nodded in satisfaction, then voiced the matter he had been contemplating.
"I heard from Miyabi that the cursed blade Tailless is in your possession?"
"That's correct."
Arden admitted openly. "I plan to reforge Tailless and pass it down for the child of Miyabi and me to wield… Father-in-law, do you have any guidance?"
Though the decision had been made privately, Tailless was a Hoshimi family heirloom. How it should ultimately be handled required the head of the household's consent.
"Reforging Tailless and having Miyabi's child inherit it—I have no objection."
Souichirou's tone grew solemn. Though he had never wielded Tailless, he understood its power and its dangers.
"You once helped Miyabi suppress the blade, so you know its risks. If you encounter any difficulty during the reforging, you must proceed with utmost caution. The Hoshimi family library contains many records—if needed, you may consult them at any time."
He had no wish to see his daughter widowed at a young age. For that reason, he was willing to open the family's archives to Arden.
"Please rest assured, Father-in-law. Your son-in-law treasures his life dearly."
Arden shared similar thoughts—he had no intention of dying and leaving his wives widowed.
"Good."
With Souichirou finished speaking, Madam Hoshimi resumed the questioning.
"Daoist Arden, I've heard you already have four wives. After marrying Miyabi, how do you intend to handle her relationship with them?"
This was the matter Madam Hoshimi cared about most.
Arden was capable and upright. If she had any dissatisfaction with him, it was solely this.
"I apologize."
Arden straightened his posture and bowed deeply in a formal gesture of apology.
This was the second time he had lowered his head since transmigrating. The first had been when he accepted a master.
A proud son bows to Heaven, Earth, parents, and teacher—no one else. Souichirou and Madam Hoshimi counted as parents.
Father-in-law and Mother-in-law were also parents. No issue there.
"It's impossible for me to abandon Ju Fufu and my master… But even so, I still wish to marry Miyabi."
"Being with me may not be fair to her. I cannot change the past, but I can guarantee her a beautiful and happy future. I love her just as I love my other four wives."
A textbook declaration of universal love—everyone was one of his wings.
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