"The materials are ready. There are still days before your big brother's wedding. Clothes don't need to be rushed.
Since we're here, why not walk around and observe? See what makes this place different from ours."
Guizhong crouched to Snow Kui's eye-level as she spoke.
The little yaksha's eyes lit up.
And then—
sniff… sniff—
The scent of freshly fried food drifted down the street.
Snow Kui instantly turned, grabbed Ruo Tuo by the wrist, and pulled him toward the source of the aroma.
"Big guy! Take me there. I want to look!"
"You really have changed… still unsure whether it's for better or for worse."
Morax folded his arms, looking at Guizhong as she stood.
"Oh? And you haven't noticed that you've changed as well?"
Guizhong raised an eyebrow, addressing the Geo Archon who had never walked freely among his own marketplace.
Morax paused.
Then closed his eyes and let out a quiet laugh.
"…Yes. Change. Whether it's good or bad—who knows?"
"I think it's a good thing. Hurry, or those two will be gone."
She grabbed his wrist and tugged him forward.
They rarely touched, even after being allies for years.
In human form, walking side-by-side like this felt—oddly natural.
"What's wrong? I thought you liked the scent of the balm. Come closer and enjoy it while you still have the chance. Who knows—this might be your last opportunity."
Her smile held a mischievous sharpness not normally seen on her gentle face.
Morax knew exactly whose influence that was.
A boulder left long enough in a forest will eventually grow moss.
If the rock itself remained steady, perhaps a little greenery was not so bad.
Elsewhere—
"What are you drawing, Brother Fushou?"
Pavana leaned over Fushou's shoulder.
He usually painted landscapes. Rarely did he paint within a human town.
Multiple hands moved with astonishing speed across blank paper.
When the final stroke fell, Fushou stared at the result—surprised himself.
"Just trying something different. It seems… not bad."
Pavana laughed softly.
The sketch showed:
A small child at the front, eyes bright with hunger and excitement.
Behind him, a taller figure with a helpless yet indulgent smile, letting the child drag him forward.
At the rear, a man and woman walked side by side, composed and elegant.
Even without color, the spark in the child's eyes shone like stars.
Night fell.
Red lanterns illuminated the streets.
Warm light and cheerful noise replaced what should have been a cold, quiet evening.
Compared to when Snow Kui first arrived—where torches were the only light—humans had advanced.
"Congratulations on your marriage, Sister Shuang!"
Snow Kui stood before the bride, wrapped in a blue-and-white coat lined with white fur.
With his rounded cheeks and the frost crystals that shimmered on his clothing, he looked like a fluffy snow fox.
Blue-white crystal butterflies fluttered on his back.
Shuang lifted a corner of her red wedding veil—the gesture normally forbidden until the groom unveiled her, but exceptions could be made for… well, a baby yaksha.
Especially one who could exorcise evil with a punch.
"Little Snow Kui? Did Stone get impatient and send you ahead as a scout?"
To Snow Kui, Shuang—with makeup and crimson lips—was stunning.
Pure beauty with a hint of seduction.
If he had to put it into words:
like frozen-crushed ice drizzled with sweet apple syrup.
"Hehe! Sister Shuang, today you're one of the prettiest humans I've ever seen."
Color bloomed across her cheeks.
"You little flatterer! If you keep this up, no girl in the future will be able to handle you."
Snow Kui blinked, puzzled by the comment, then suddenly remembered something.
From inside his coat, he produced a small box.
"For you. Guizhong said you should bring gifts to weddings. I don't have much, but you like little trinkets, so I made this for you. Don't worry—my skills are definitely better than Stone's."
Shuang opened the box.
The fragrance washed over her, and surprise lit her eyes.
"You made this?"
"For someone skilled in medicine, it's simple. If you like it, I can teach you. It's only Stone who messed up over and over—working from morning to night and still failing, until he got lucky."
"…He spent that long? For me?"
The bride's eyes softened, misting over.
Was that what Snow Kui meant?
Absolutely not.
But Snow Kui just shrugged.
As long as the ending is good.
Stone and Shuang were orphans.
The wedding was simple — only a few tables.
But that was perfect for Snow Kui.
He sat beside Stone, happily devouring chicken legs and grilled fish.
Soon, due to the adults' mischief, Snow Kui ended up drinking alcohol.
He stared blankly up at the sky, smiling like an idiot.
Just as his hand reached for another cup, Stone pressed it down.
Stone, having bartered an extremely unfair marital agreement earlier just to have Snow Kui sit next to him, guarded him like treasure.
"Snow Kui, listen. There's a difference between drinking well and drinking too well.
Drinking well feels great. Drinking too much makes you miserable."
He shoved a steamed bun into Snow Kui's mouth.
Snow Kui immediately chewed.
(As long as there's food, everything is fine.)
Shuang watched the two and laughed, a hint of regret in her eyes that she didn't insist the seat beside her remain open.
In the haze of alcohol and the glow of celebration, Snow Kui accompanied his big brother through the happiest day of his life.
Advance Chapters available on P@treon
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