Chapter 3060

Yan Xiwan didn’t know how Ouyang Tianyun had managed to become the Imperial Preceptor of the Nine Domains Dynasty. She just accepted it.

When Zhang Tian and Gu Cheng saw Ouyang Tianyun leading them into the Imperial Preceptor’s Mansion, they were stunned. They couldn’t believe what kind of master they had followed. He had actually become the Imperial Preceptor.

For Ouyang Tianyun, it was easy. He simply altered the memories of a few key people, especially the Emperor’s. He claimed the former Imperial Preceptor had urgent matters and had recommended him. Since Ouyang Tianyun had searched the former Preceptor’s soul, he knew all the details. Thus, taking the position was simple.

Such a transition only required notifying the Emperor and relevant departments. Few people ever saw the Imperial Preceptor, so they didn’t know what he looked like. Ouyang Tianyun was handsome, so no one suspected him.

“You say it’s easy to be the Preceptor now, but how will you escape later?” Yan Xiwan teased.

“Simple. I’ll just continue my secluded cultivation. If that fails, I’ll use a puppet clone. Ideally, the system will be abolished,” Ouyang Tianyun said with a smile.

Yan Xiwan laughed. “So you’ve already planned your exit.”

“It’s not really an escape route, just a practical measure,” Ouyang Tianyun replied.

The mansion was large, but Ouyang Tianyun hired no servants. Only the four of them lived there. The Preceptor’s special status kept people from visiting casually.

Zhang Tian and Gu Cheng stayed with Ouyang Tianyun, learning martial arts and mystical arts.

A year passed quietly. Zhang Tian and Gu Cheng had become true experts.

They couldn’t believe their own progress. In just one year, they had transformed from slightly talented individuals into absolute masters. They had never imagined such a possibility before.

It was the Mid-Autumn Festival. The four of them were in the courtyard, admiring the moon.

“Master, Mistress, thank you for this past year. Without you, Zhang Tian and I wouldn’t have achieved this,” Gu Cheng said, raising his cup. “So, Master, Mistress, we toast to you.”

“Since you are my disciples, it is my duty to teach you,” Ouyang Tianyun said. He looked at them both. “Honestly, seeing you toast like this, I hope you are toasting to wedding wine.”

Gu Cheng froze, looking nervously at Zhang Tian.

Zhang Tian looked confused, glancing at Ouyang Tianyun, then at Yan Xiwan, and back at Gu Cheng. “What’s wrong?”

“What’s wrong? Gu Cheng is afraid you’ll get angry,” Yan Xiwan said, exasperated by Zhang Tian’s cluelessness. He was usually reckless but sharp. Now, he seemed dull.

“Why would I be angry? Did he do something wrong to me?” Zhang Tian tilted his head.

“Impossible,” Gu Cheng said helplessly. “I’m with you every day. When would I have time to wrong you?”

Zhang Tian scratched his hair. “Then what is it?”

Gu Cheng didn’t know how to start. Yan Xiwan couldn’t stand it anymore. “Zhang Tian, if Gu Cheng suddenly married and left you, how would you feel?”

“Why would he leave me?” Zhang Tian frowned. “Can’t we stay together forever?”

“Everyone marries. When you marry and he marries, you’ll have your own families. Isn’t it normal to separate then?”

“Then I won’t marry. I have my brother. Gu Cheng has his brother,” Zhang Tian said seriously.

“But if you aren’t husband and wife, can you stay together like this?” Yan Xiwan asked.

Zhang Tian tilted his head. “Can’t brothers stay together?”

“Brothers only see each other during the day. Husband and wife can be together day and night. Which way do you want to be with Gu Cheng?” Yan Xiwan asked.

Zhang Tian frowned. “Can’t brothers be together day and night? Must we be husband and wife? But we are both men. We can’t be husband and wife, right?”

“We can,” Yan Xiwan said with a grin. “Same-sex bonding makes you husband and wife. If you bond, you are husband and wife.”

Zhang Tian’s eyes lit up. “So we won’t separate?”

“Yes, that way you won’t separate,” Yan Xiwan confirmed.

Zhang Tian turned to Gu Cheng. “Xiao Cheng, I’ve been good to you since we were young, right? I’ve taken care of you, right?”

“Mm,” Gu Cheng replied, his heart pounding. He didn’t know why Zhang Tian was saying this.

“So you can’t bear to leave me, right?” Zhang Tian smiled innocently.

Gu Cheng felt he knew the answer but couldn’t believe it. Suppressing his excitement, he nodded. “I can’t bear to leave.”

“Then let’s bond. Mistress said bonding makes us husband and wife, and husband and wife don’t separate,” Zhang Tian said seriously.

“Zhang Tian, do you know what husband and wife means?” Gu Cheng asked, deciding to clarify first.

“Of course. ‘Through life and death, we make our vow. Holding your hand, we grow old together.’ I understand,” Zhang Tian said seriously.

“Good,” Gu Cheng smiled. He took Zhang Tian’s hand. “You brought it up, so you can’t back down.”

“Who’s backing down? I just didn’t understand my feelings for you before,” Zhang Tian glanced at Gu Cheng.

Gu Cheng smiled. Seeing Zhang Tian like this, he realized Zhang Tian had feelings for him long ago. He was just naive and confused by their gender, so he had treated it as brotherly love. If Yan Xiwan hadn’t pointed it out, he might never have known.

“Thank you, Mistress,” Gu Cheng bowed deeply to Yan Xiwan.

Yan Xiwan laughed. “I love seeing lovers become a family. You two are truly a match made in heaven.”

“Wife, you’re right. Their names combined are ‘Tian Cheng’ (Heavenly Match),” Ouyang Tianyun said with satisfaction.

“Bonding is a recognition of same-sex couples. However, you are not orphans. You must write to your parents. If they agree, I will officiate your bonding ceremony,” Ouyang Tianyun said gently.

“Master, don’t worry. We’ll write to them as soon as we return,” Gu Cheng said.

The Zhang and Gu families were close. Moreover, there were precedents of same-sex marriages among their ancestors. So, their request to bond and become husband and wife was not considered immoral by the families. It would only cause some surprise.