Han Cai shamelessly replied, "I am only human. And if someone should be promising protection, it should be you promising to protect me."
Lan Yulan shook her head. "Do you want to come with me if I promise to protect you?"
Han Cai shook his head. "Nope, good luck with your war."
Lan Yulan said, "If we lose, then you will suffer. If you are with me, I can protect you. Don't you care about me at all?"
Han Cai shamelessly retorted, "You see, I don't mind coming. The thing is, you are not my Dao partner. My cultivation needs Yin and Yang harmony, so if you agree to be my Dao partner, then I can consider it."
Lan Yulan frowned. "I told you to stop being vulgar with me."
Han Cai shook his head and spoke seriously, "I am not being vulgar; it's a natural thing. Accept me as your Dao partner. Sign a marriage contract with me. I will take responsibility for you, and you will take responsibility for me."
Lan Yulan frowned again. "You don't trust me, do you? I don't even know what level your cultivation is at."
Han Cai shook his head. "Don't take it personally. I have a lot of secrets that I can not share. To share them with you, I need to know if you really have feelings for me. Then, I will share every secret with you."
Lan Yulan was upset. She got up and flew away. Since Han Cai had given her access to the array, she could freely come and go from the array.
Two weeks later, Lan Yulan returned. She was sitting on the dune, pouting.
Han Cai sat beside her and asked, "What brings you here?"
Lan Yulan was irritated but calmed down and replied, "Next month, I have to leave."
Han Cai nodded and wished her well, "Have a safe journey."
Lan Yulan frowned and flew away. However, the very next night, she came back again, still pouting.
Han Cai asked, "What happened now?"
Lan Yulan was initially angry but then calmed down and said, "I will sign the contract, whatever you want me to do. But then, will you stop being so mean to me?"
Han Cai nodded.
Lan Yulan asked, "What kind of contract do you want me to sign?"
Han Cai replied, "Nothing special, just the usual agreement that most lovers make. You accept me as your Dao partner and promise not to have any other Dao partners as long as I'm alive. Also, if we go to war and I die, given my low cultivation level, my clan and several others depend on me. If I die, you will take responsibility for my debts."
"You're very demanding, you know that, right?" Lan Yulan said. "And I told you, I won't let you die no matter what. You should have faith in me."
Han Cai nodded, "I'll have faith in you once you sign our marriage contract."
Lan Yulan looked at him curiously, "A marriage contract? You mentioned a lovers' contract, and now a marriage contract?"
Han Cai nodded, "Of course! Since we're becoming Dao partners, we have to be married. I'm very traditional. You want to make this official, don't you?"
Lan Yulan replied, "You're very unromantic. I don't know why I bother." Then she sighed and conceded, "We'll do it your way."
Han Cai nodded and a contract materialized in his hand. "This is our marriage certificate. Please sign it."
Lan Yulan took the contract and read it. It essentially stated that she agreed to be his Dao partner, to marry him, to practice Yin and Yang cultivation with him, not to find another Dao partner until his death, and in the event of his death, she would take care of his clan and his debts.
Lan Yulan nodded and imprinted the contract with her spirit. They were now officially Dao partners.
Han Cai tried to kiss her in his excitement, but she delivered a thundering kick to his groin and then gave him a vicious punch. Han Cai lay flat on the dune, writhing in pain.
Lan Yulan pouted and said, "We're leaving in three weeks, so prepare your things. And don't think you can take advantage of me just because we're married. You have to wait until I'm ready."
After saying that, she flew away, leaving Han Cai on the dune, howling in pain.
For the following weeks, he diligently spent time concocting pills. He wanted to leave a large number of them for his clan. He could continue concocting the pills for the sect even in the Mystic Realm, but it might be difficult to send the pills to his clan from there. Over the past ten years, he had been making pills, so he had several earth-grade storage rings filled to the brim with Spirit and Earth-grade pills. It was more than enough for his clan, business partners, and the sect but out of habit, he concocted more of those pills.
He had kept his promise. He also gave a large number of Array transfer talismans to Lan Tianlong. His duties were complete. Now, he wanted to fulfill his duty as a Dao Partner and enjoy a honeymoon in the mystic realm.
Even though It was a warring realm and there was a good chance she would reject his advances most of the time, but a guy could hope.
After three weeks passed, Han Cai disappeared from his abode, and when he reappeared, he was in front of his beloved's dwelling. Lan Yulan was busy preparing for the war when suddenly, the array in her abode informed her that someone was at her entrance.
She was surprised to see him and asked with curiosity, "How did you gain access to the Inner core?"
Han Cai responded, "My love for you gave me the access key to the Inner core."
Lan Yulan rolled her eyes and said, "Come in. We leave tomorrow morning."
The interior of Lan Yulan's home was very simple. She didn't live in luxury like other Core disciples.
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Note:
About the romance, many readers complained the cringe it was. I agree. Without revealing much, all I can say is that it is not what it seems ;).
Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too.
If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters.
If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters.
Thank You
