69novels Page 104
Page 104
Shi Hao took Huo Ling'er's hand and stepped into the void passage.
The light flashed, and the passage closed.
Only the Fire Emperor remained, standing with his hands behind his back, gazing in the direction of the vanished passage, silent for a long time.
His eyes were filled with anticipation for his daughter's future.
And the anticipation for that young supreme being who rises like a comet.
Ling'er, I hope everything will be well for you in the future.
Chapter 80: Carrying the Bride Back to the Village! The Willow God's Astonishment and Caresses!
"Finally... I'm back."
Shi Hao took a deep breath, greedily inhaling the air that belonged to "home," and the blood surging in his heart due to the great battle gradually calmed down.
He looked down at the small village below, which appeared exceptionally peaceful and serene in the afterglow of the setting sun, watched the wisps of smoke rising from the chimneys, and listened to the faint sounds of children playing in the distance. A warm smile involuntarily crept onto his lips.
Just then, the people of Stone Village who had been eagerly waiting below finally saw the figure emerging from the void passage!
"It's Brother Hao! Brother Hao is back!" The sharp-eyed Pi Hou was the first to spot Shi Hao and shouted excitedly at the top of his lungs!
"What? Haowa is back?!"
"Quick! Go out and see!"
"Little Shi Hao!"
In an instant, the tranquil Stone Village seemed to have been stirred up by a stone thrown into it, and it instantly became a boiling cauldron!
Countless figures rushed out from the ancient stone houses!
The burly men from the hunting team, including Shi Linhu and Shi Feijiao, greeted them quickly with honest smiles on their faces.
Pi Hou, Er Meng, Bi Ti Wa, and a group of naked, mischievous kids rushed towards Shi Hao and surrounded him!
Even the aunties who were busy by the stone mill at the village entrance put down their work, their faces beaming with the most sincere and enthusiastic smiles, and looked over here.
Shi Qingfeng and Grandpa Shi Ting also rushed over upon hearing the news. Seeing Shi Hao return safely, Shi Ting's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled down, and his eyes were filled with relief. Shi Qingfeng, on the other hand, looked at this all-powerful young man with admiration.
"Brother Hao! You're finally back! We've all missed you so much!" Pi Hou was the first to rush over and give Shi Hao a big bear hug.
"Yeah, yeah! Brother Hao, you've been gone for so long this time! What delicious food did you bring us?" Er Meng chimed in.
"Little Shi Hao, did your trip go smoothly? Did you encounter any danger?" Shi Linhu stepped forward, patted Shi Hao on the shoulder, and asked with concern, as if he were looking at his own nephew.
Shi Hao was instantly surrounded by the villagers' enthusiasm, feeling their genuine care and closeness. His heart was warmed, and his fatigue seemed to vanish in that moment.
He smiled and responded to everyone: "Uncle Lin Hu, uncles and aunts, Pi Hou, I'm fine, everything went smoothly, and I even brought you a lot of good things!"
As he spoke, his gaze swept over the familiar yet expectant faces, and he could no longer suppress the urge to share his joy.
He took a deep breath, cleared his throat, and said loudly in a tone that was both solemn and excited:
"Fellow clansmen, I have another piece of great news to tell you!"
"I... defeated Shi Yi!"
"Not only did I defeat him, but... I personally killed him!"
boom! ! !
Shi Hao's words were like a thunderclap from a clear sky! Instantly plunging the previously noisy and bustling scene into an eerie silence!
Everyone stared wide-eyed at Shi Hao, as if they doubted whether they had misheard!
Shi Yi? That Shi Yi who was born with double pupils, fused with the Supreme Bone, and was hailed as the eternal legend of the Stone Kingdom, even suppressing the entire younger generation of the Desolate Region to the point of being unable to raise his head?!
He was actually defeated by Haowazi?! And even killed?!
After a brief silence came a commotion and ecstasy like a volcanic eruption!
"What?! Really?!"
"Haowa! You're saying you killed Shi Yi?!"
"Oh my god! This is great! This is great!"
"Heaven has eyes! That villain who stole Haowazi's Supreme Bone has finally received his retribution!"
The villagers were so excited they were speechless!
They may not understand what double pupils or supreme bones are, but they have all heard, more or less, about the injustices and suffering that Shi Hao encountered back then from Old Master Shi Ting!
Hearing Shi Hao say that he had killed that enemy, the pent-up frustration and anger in their hearts were finally released, turning into endless joy and pride!
"Good! Good! Well done! Well done!"
Grandpa Shi Ting was so excited that he was trembling all over!
He suddenly grabbed Shi Hao's shoulder, and tears welled up in his old, weathered eyes and rolled down like a burst dam!
So many years have passed! He blames himself for what happened back then day and night! He is heartbroken for what happened to Hao'er!
Now, not only has his Hao'er returned, but he has also done so with such force! He personally killed the enemy who took everything from him!
How could this not bring tears to his eyes?! How could this not fill him with immense excitement?!
“Good boy…good boy…Grandpa is so proud of you…” Shi Ting choked up, his words tumbling out incoherently as he held Shi Hao’s hand tightly.
"Big brother! You're amazing! I knew you could do it!" Shi Qingfeng's face was flushed, and he excitedly waved his little fist, his eyes filled with endless admiration as he looked at Shi Hao!
"Hahaha! I knew it! Our Brother Hao is the strongest!" The mischievous kids, including Pi Hou, were even more smug, as if they were the ones who had defeated Shi Yi!
The entire Stone Village was immersed in an indescribable ecstasy and excitement!
Just then, a curious voice rang out.
"Brother Hao, who is this beautiful lady...?" Pi Hou's gaze fell on the girl who had just recovered from her shock.
He was curiously observing Huo Ling'er, whose pretty face was slightly flushed.
As soon as Pi Hou asked that question, everyone's eyes turned to Huo Ling'er.
The villagers were actually quite familiar with the Fire Kingdom princess, who had visited Shi Village before and had a close relationship with Xiao Shihao.
However, Huo Ling'er had grown up and changed a lot, so Pi Hou couldn't recognize her at first.
"Oh my! Isn't this Miss Ling'er?" A sharp-eyed aunt immediately recognized Huo Ling'er, a knowing smile spreading across her face. "So that's why Haowazi came back so quickly this time. He brought Miss Ling'er back with him!"
"Sister-in-law! You're back too?" The mischievous monkey was even bolder and directly called out "Sister-in-law"!
"That's right! I knew it! Brother Hao definitely didn't go out alone this time!"
"Judging from Ling'er's appearance, she must have missed our Brother Hao, which is why she came back with him, right? Hahaha!"
"Haowa! You're doing great! You've brought your new wife back again!"
The villagers cheered and teased, their gazes toward Huo Ling'er filled with goodwill and mockery.
"Sister-in-law... Sister-in-law?!"
Upon hearing this title, Huo Ling'er bristled like a cat whose tail had been stepped on!
Her pretty face, already flushed with shyness, suddenly turned as red as a fiery sunset! Even her snow-white neck was tinged with an alluring pink!
She instinctively lowered her head, nervously twisting the hem of her clothes with both hands. Her heart was pounding, and her cheeks felt burning hot. She didn't dare to look at the kind eyes of the villagers around her!
This is so...so embarrassing!
These villagers! Why...why are they all so direct?!
She instinctively wanted to hide behind Shi Hao, and even reached out her little hands to hug Shi Hao's arm tightly, as if only in this way could she gain a sense of security.
Shi Hao felt the soft touch on his arm and heard the girl's slightly flustered breath. He chuckled inwardly, knowing that the girl was completely shy.
He quickly stepped in to smooth things over, waving his hand at the villagers who were egging him on: "Alright, alright! Stop talking nonsense! What are you all making a fuss about!"
He then cleared his throat, a serious expression on his face, and announced loudly, "Let me formally introduce myself!"
"This is Princess Huo Ling'er of the Fire Kingdom!"
"At the same time..." Shi Hao paused, looking at the girl beside him who had buried her head in his arm, not daring to look up. A gentle smile flashed in his eyes, and his tone became soft yet firm:
"She is also...my future wife!"
"Ling'er and I have already made our engagement with her father, the Emperor, as witnesses!"
what? !
They're engaged?!
Shi Hao's comment (852) exploded like a bombshell in the crowd!
The villagers were stunned at first, then their faces lit up with even greater joy!
"Really?! They're engaged?!"
"My God! Haowa is really getting married?!"
"She's the princess of the Fire Kingdom?! Good heavens! This is a huge joyous occasion for everyone!"
"Great news! Great news! There's a happy occasion going on in Shicun!"
After the initial surprise came even more enthusiastic cheers and blessings!
The villagers' gazes towards Huo Ling'er changed from teasing to genuine recognition and affection!
"Oh dear! It's Your Highness! My apologies for not recognizing you!"
"It's a blessing that Her Highness the Princess has taken a liking to our Haowa!"
"From now on, we're all family! Your Highness, please don't stand on ceremony!"
Faced with the villagers' even more enthusiastic blessings, Huo Ling'er was so ashamed she wanted to disappear into the ground. She could only bury her face deeper in Shi Hao's arms, whimpering in protest: "You bad boy...it's all your fault..."
Her shy and bashful appearance stirred something within Shi Hao.
To celebrate Shi Hao's slaying of his nemesis, and even more so to welcome the official arrival of Huo Ling'er, his "future daughter-in-law"!
That night, a roaring bonfire was lit again in Shicun!
This year's bonfire party was bigger and more lively than ever before!
The villagers practically poured out of the village! They brought out their treasured wines, stored for years! And slaughtered the fattest, most ferocious beasts!
The whole village was immersed in a sea of joy!