The Predecessor Is All Over The Martial Arts World Chapter 2
byChapter 2: It’s Over, She’s Tainted.
Hou Chenghong ultimately failed to accomplish anything. He couldn’t defeat a Wushuang Pavilion disciple, nor did he possess enough authority to casually interfere with the Clan Elders’ actions.
When the two groups met, before Hou Chenghong could say anything, Wuming had already approached them and started chatting in a familiar manner.
She was tall and straight, with a heroic appearance that made her very likable.
“Young Heroine, are you married? This old man has a granddaughter, her temperament is…”
“Your granddaughter won’t do! My granddaughter is the best of the best, Young Heroine—”
“I… I came here precisely for the marriage arrangement…”
Hou Chenghong grew anxious and quickly stepped between the two groups. “Young Heroine Xi, you must be weary from your journey. My Hou Manor is a prominent family; how can we be so impolite? We should take Young Heroine Xi to rest properly.”
Wuming also grew anxious. She had already revealed her purpose to these old fogeys, and she absolutely couldn’t give up halfway.
If she went to rest now, these old fogeys might seize the opportunity to marry off the Eldest Young Miss. They wouldn’t care about propriety!
She wasn’t the real Xi Ni; she had no backing. Only Miss Danxue was an ally she could temporarily rely on. Miss Danxue could only marry her!
“Ah, is Uncle asking me to rest in Miss Danxue’s room? That would be—”
Wuming’s shameless words were cut short when Hou Danxue entered the room. Wuming immediately froze.
She had already offended Hou Danxue greatly yesterday, and today, she was caught speaking nonsense so unluckily… Wuming couldn’t imagine what image she now held in Hou Danxue’s mind.
Hou Danxue wore a white veil over her face, but her exposed eyes flowed with a gentle smile. She didn’t seem angry about the offense.
“Danxue… you two…”
“Shameless!”
Wuming’s unfinished sentence ignited the entire scene. Everyone began discussing the matter animatedly, with the elderly woman at the front reacting the most strongly. She nearly fainted and was only prevented from collapsing by the people holding her up.
Hou Danxue walked over to Wuming, took her hand, and bowed to the assembly.
“Danxue… has failed the teachings of the elders. We admire each other. Danxue does not wish to marry that Young Master Huang; I only wish to marry the one I love. Please grant us your blessing!”
Seeing the expressions of the crowd gradually turn into mockery and anger, Wuming stepped sideways to shield Hou Danxue and shouted the crucial sentence.
“I know Miss Danxue’s situation, and I am willing to enter the Hou Family in a Matrilocal Marriage!”
“Matrilocal Marriage?” The elderly woman who was about to faint instantly recovered. She pushed away the hands holding her and stared intently at Wuming.
Wuming realized she was the one with the most authority. Her attire was the most respectable, and she stood at the very front.
“Yes! I have no parents, only my sect behind me. After marriage, Miss Danxue’s family will be my family, and I will dedicate myself wholeheartedly to the Hou Manor!”
Wuming thought for a moment and added, “Any children born in the future, regardless of gender, will take Miss Danxue’s surname.”
Although it was impossible for them to have children, the people in front of her looked quite traditional and probably cared deeply about this point.
“A Matrilocal Marriage, ah, a Matrilocal Marriage is good. From now on, you will be a descendant of my Hou Family… Hahahaha.”
“Mother! Hou Danxue… she has already been promised to the Huang Family by your son! If we go back on our word like this, what will happen to our relationship with the Huang Family?”
“The Huang Family? What is the Huang Family? They were never as good as my Hou Manor. My granddaughter is so excellent; naturally, only an Outstanding Talent from Wushuang Pavilion is worthy of her!”
Heng Xiangyan severely reprimanded Hou Chenghong beside her, then turned to Wuming, smiling like a blooming flower.
“Ni’er, as a Wushuang Pavilion disciple, you must be very busy, right? Don’t worry, Grandmother will personally prepare your wedding so you can marry as soon as possible and not delay your time.”
“Mother, you haven’t even tested her! How can you so rashly decide Danxue’s marriage!”
“Speaking of which, have you tested that Young Master Huang? You probably haven’t even met him, so you don’t know if he’s handsome or ugly.”
“I understand Uncle’s concerns! I am willing to demonstrate my martial arts!”
Wuming was quite confident in her martial arts. Among her peers, few could surpass her, except for a handful of true prodigies.
There was no helping it; with outstanding talent, one could become formidable even without resources.
The Hou Manor cared about face; surely they wouldn’t arrange for someone a generation older than her to compete, right?
“Ni’er, Danxue’s father is the eldest in his generation; you should call him Uncle.”
Hou Chenghong ignored the details and said urgently, “It’s good that you have this intention. I happen to have a fierce warrior under my command. Today, you two can spar. It will be a Friendly Match.”
The false smile on his face couldn’t hide his gloomy expression, making Wuming feel inexplicably nervous.
This old fogey wouldn’t have some hidden card, would he?
Her palm sank into something soft. Wuming looked down to see that Hou Danxue had grasped her hand.
Wuming had practiced martial arts for years, specializing in the Palm Technique, making her hands harder than steel.
Hou Danxue had been raised in the Inner Chambers, with people dedicated to caring for her hands, which were softer than water.
Wuming felt as if her hand had fallen into a terrifying whirlpool; she couldn’t pull out the hand she used for attack.
Fortunately, her enemy wouldn’t be Miss Danxue, or she would surely lose.
Hou Danxue’s intention was merely to comfort Wuming. She knew her second uncle; he had little ability, and how could he have truly formidable people under him?
Hou Danxue hadn’t expected Wuming to stare directly at their clasped hands. Wuming seemed to be lost in thought, a suspicious blush rising on her face.
Truly… with so many elders around, she had only held her hand, yet Wuming’s reaction was highly suspicious. Some people were already showing strange smiles, filling Hou Danxue with despair.
“Ni’er? Ni’er!”
Since it wasn’t her real name, it took Wuming a moment to recognize that someone was calling her and pull herself out of her own world.
“Ah… young people… how wonderful.”
Fortunately, no one blamed her.
A burly man walked out. He was nearly twice Wuming’s size—fat.
Wuming’s height could be considered the peak for this era; even men who didn’t lack nutrition rarely reached this height.
Wuming had once suspected that her underdevelopment in certain areas was due to her height absorbing too much nourishment.
The strong man looked imposing, but he could only fool those who didn’t practice martial arts. Wuming could tell at a glance that he was weak.
All her worries and anxieties from before she fell asleep last night now seemed like a joke!
Wuming moved with the crowd toward the arena. Hou Danxue held her hand tightly. Wuming wondered if her hand would still be able to exert force when it was time to fight.
“If you die, I will meticulously handle your funeral arrangements and remain a widow for you for the rest of my life,” Hou Danxue whispered.
Wuming: ???
Why was she starting to talk like this?
No way! How could she possibly die at the hands of such a weakling!
“A guy like this? I can take him out with one palm strike each!”
Hou Danxue’s heart did not settle down; instead, she became more worried.
If she were truly formidable, would she need to sneak into her Inner Chambers like a thief to warn her?
No, she was just a petty thief.
A petty thief full of lies, but Hou Danxue found her somewhat interesting.
Hou Danxue thought, Uncle can use underhanded means, and so can I! I will be more meticulous and patient than Uncle.
As long as this heart-stealing thief wasn’t utterly useless, she would find a chance to kill the person opposite her.
Wuming was unaware of Hou Danxue’s thoughts. She watched the burly man opposite her jump onto the stage as if performing a trick. He really cared about his image.
Wuming’s fighting spirit was roused by Hou Danxue’s discouraging words, and her movement onto the stage was even more astonishing.
Little did she know, Hou Danxue silently labeled her as Ornamental (Impractical), gripping the Hidden Weapon in her hand until her knuckles were white.
The big man disregarded martial ethics, immediately grabbed the twin hammers from the weapon rack, and charged. Wuming remained unmoved, standing still, seizing the opponent’s weakness, and sending him flying with a single palm strike.
Huo, was he all fat? How did he fly so easily?
Wuming looked at her palm in confusion. It hadn’t changed. It must be that the opponent was too weak.
“Heavens, she didn’t even use a weapon, barehanded! She won barehanded!”
“If her Basic Technique is so profound, her swordsmanship must be even more impressive!”
Wuming looked at the sword at her waist. That was just a decoration!
Wasn’t a Ceremonial Sword meant to display one’s status as a person of repute? All the disciples from major sects she encountered, whether they used a sword or not, wore one at their waist.
Hmm, Wuming had acquired quite a few such items from her years of robbing robbers.
“What is there left to test? No need for any more trials! This person should be part of my Hou Family! All of you, follow me back to discuss the wedding details!”
Heng Xiangyan decisively settled everything. Everyone followed her away, leaving only Hou Danxue waiting for Wuming.
“So… you are that formidable.”
Wuming noticed the admiration on her face and felt smug.
“Did you think my threat when we first met was false?”
Hou Danxue held Wuming’s hand. “Are you tired after the fight? Come back with me.”
Grandmother hadn’t arranged Wuming’s accommodation, clearly intending for Wuming to stay with her directly. Grandmother truly wanted to secure this person.
“Are you truly a Wushuang Pavilion disciple?”
Only after returning to her Inner Chambers and confirming they were alone did Hou Danxue dare to ask this question.
How could a Wushuang Pavilion disciple act like a thief?
“Of course, I have proof of identity.”
Wuming admitted it directly.
If she denied it, Hou Danxue would definitely press for her true identity. Since their marriage was fake, it was better to maintain some distance.
Hou Danxue got up and closed the window. The room instantly darkened.
She walked to the bed and pressed directly onto Wuming, her dark pupils fixed on her.
“You lied to me. I checked that person; he is male, and you are female.”
Wuming knew he was male, of course. She was the one who killed him; how could she not know?
Hou Danxue asked her to be a Woman in disguise, so she couldn’t use a female identity.
“The identity is fake, but the proof is real.”
Hou Danxue automatically understood that Wuming was a Wushuang Pavilion disciple, just not Xi Ni.
“You are unwilling to tell me your true identity, then…”
“If Miss is willing, you can call me Wuming.”
Wuming’s gaze toward Hou Danxue became accusatory. Her name was too strange, so it was normal for Hou Danxue to misunderstand that she was being perfunctory.
“Wuming…”
She pressed closer, softly calling her name near her ear.
Wuming felt a little hot. She hadn’t sweated during the fight, but now she was starting to sweat.
“Miss, I would like some water.”
“There’s no need to be so distant between us. You can just call me… Madam.”
Hou Danxue trusted her grandmother’s speed. Perhaps they would be married in three days. It made no difference whether this address was used sooner or later.
Wuming wasn’t sure if the other party wanted to do something unspeakable, clinging to her and asking her to call her Madam.
She couldn’t possibly utter that embarrassing address!
How did she suddenly get married? She was used to being a loner and couldn’t adjust to the presence of another person.
Wuming remained motionless, and Hou Danxue didn’t move either.
Bored, Hou Danxue’s hand began to explore Wuming’s body.
Wuming certainly wouldn’t take this loss; she definitely had to explore back.
Her hand reached directly for the place she envied. Hou Danxue’s hand paused, then she hugged Wuming tightly.
Wuming didn’t know whether she should move or not.
If she didn’t move, it would be awkward for her to move alone. Why did she stop! She must be doing it on purpose! Only wanting to take advantage of her, but not wanting Wuming to take advantage of her! What a cunning woman!
While Wuming’s thoughts were stuck, Hou Danxue suddenly leaned in, kissing her precisely on the mouth.
Wuming felt a soft, slippery foreign object in her mouth, and her mind went completely blank.
It was over. She was tainted.