The day before the wedding, Zhao Siqi, Zhang Huizhu, Zhu Six and others including Lu Changchun all came. Of course, there was the inevitable melodramatic reunion scene between Zhao Siqi and Tang Xiaoyu, making Tang Xiaoyu extremely embarrassed.
The group of people was of no help yet kept discussing how to deal with the bald donkeys from the West.
Tang Xiaoyu was incredibly anxious about his son’s matters while his third younger sister chatted with the group as if nothing had happened.
Early next morning before daybreak, Tang Xiaoyu began calling for everyone to get up and prepare to welcome the guests.
Since Jiang Xiaohua was from their village itself, it saved a lot of trouble for the wedding procession.
Many people were invited but all were well acquainted with Tang Xiaoyu.
The gifts brought were all rare treasures beyond price; Tang Xiaoyu declined them all, only accepting money and silver.
Though Tang Xiaoyu spoke of only taking money and silver, real money and silver could not be truly offered. Many came well prepared to give exceptionally generously.
Hundreds or thousands of taels would have seemed embarrassing to take out. The basic starting amount was tens of thousands of taels.
Only after the guests had all arrived and the couple had paid respects to heaven and earth was Tang Xiaoyu finally able to slowly relax.
Today, Tang Xiaoyu was especially delighted. At the banquet, he drank freely with everyone, accepting every toast.
When the banquet ended, most took their leave. Still tipsily bleary-eyed, Tang Xiaoyu bade them all farewell.
A small number of particularly close relations stayed behind, intending to visit for many days.
For five full days at home Tang Xiaoyu set out feast after feast before this group finally left reluctantly.
“Xiaoyu, I’ll come see you after some time,” Zhao Siqi said.
“Little brother, elder brother will go back and prepare at the sect then come again,” Zhu Six said.
“Xiaoyu, visit White Tiger City when you’re free. Who knows when we’ll meet again next time?” Lu Changchun said.
Tang Xiaoyu placated and sent off each guest before finally heaving a long sigh of relief. He could not bear such sentimental scenes of parting.
Seeing Tang Xiaoxue and the others, Tang Xiaoyu began rushing people out. “Every last one of you, get on back. I’m going to cook for you all until dead on my feet!”
“Big brother, come back and visit us for a few days,” Tang Xiaoxue invited.
Tang Xiaoyu waved his hand. “I won’t go. I’m going to take Lele and the children sightseeing. Contact me by sound transmission jade talisman if anything comes up.”
His third younger sister didn’t try to stop him, only asking one thing: “No matter where you go, you have to come back and report here once every six months.”
“Alright, alright, I know! I’m a family man now, where can I run off to?”
His third younger sister took Duoduo and Keke back to Fengxi Sect with Tang Xiaoxue.
Tang Xiaoyu brought his three children along to travel the mountains and waters after tidying up.
A few years later, the greatest battle in history broke out between Buddhism and Taoism in their bid to seize back the entire Western State.
Just when Tang Xiaoxue and the others encountered their greatest crisis, it could be said they had fallen into a trap laid by Buddhism.
At this crucial life-or-death moment, Tang Xiaoyu became the protagonist for once by completely turning the situation around.
Upon learning his wife, children, sisters, and brother’s wives were all endangered, Tang Xiaoyu returned to Qingyu Village and brought his wife’s parents, fellow villagers, and others to storm the Western State.
With Tang Xiaoyu joining them, Buddhism could only abandon the Western State and retreat.
Due to the influence of Fengxi Sect and Tang Xiaoyu, all sects voluntarily came under Tao Ancestor’s command.
The new system officially stepped onto history’s stage. Tang Xiaoyu had also completed Tao Ancestor’s task for them.
Just when Tang Xiaoyu was preparing to continue his sightseeing travels, Tao Ancestor appeared.
“You little bastard, not bad. I didn’t save your life thrice in vain.”
Tang Xiaoyu scratched his head. “What about my reward?”
“I already gave it to you!”
“No you didn’t!”
“What was your wish when you first came to this world?”
“To marry and have children!”
“And don’t you have wife and children now?”
Tang Xiaoyu suddenly didn’t feel like speaking.
Tao Ancestor went on, “You’ve already gotten this world’s most precious things. What more are you unsatisfied about?”
Tang Xiaoyu thought for a bit. “You’re right, I’ve already gotten the most precious affections of familial ties, friendship, and romantic love.”
“Good, now go properly enjoy your life! Leave what comes after to your children.”
“Dao Ancestor, what do you mean by that?”
“It means we cannot interfere any further in the struggles between Buddhism and Taoism. You should understand this.”
“I understand.”
“Very well. If you wish to attain the Tao and become an immortal, diligently cultivate virtues and accumulate merit.”
Somehow Tang Xiaoyu felt strange about this. Earlier when dissatisfied he would just fight it out, but now he had to diligently accumulate virtues and merit. Could this be the difference in conduct between chaotic times versus prosperous eras for achieving the same things?
Tang Xiaoyu asked, “If I become an immortal, won’t I turn back into a naive little kid?”
“That’s right!”
“Then forget it. I won’t become immortal. I understand that it’s better remaining a chicken head than a phoenix tail.”
“Up to you then.”
As Tao Ancestor left, Tang Xiaoyu deeply inhaled. "Oh! My beginning was ordinary and my end is ordinary. There's still no escaping this chessboard.”
In less than two years Tang Doudou and Jiang Xiaohua gave him a grandson. Then Tiantian, Wenwen, and Lele each married and had children.
In the end Tang Duoduo did not become Holy Master. Instead it was Keke who became Holy Master.
For a time Tang Duoduo resented her younger sister and mother to the point she nearly became possessed by demons, stopped only when Tang Xiaoyu took her away for education and to correct her mindset.
In the next few hundred years under Tang Keke’s leadership, Buddhism was finally destroyed by Taoism.
Due to their contributions, most were able to ascend and become immortals.
Yet still Tang Xiaoyu remained in this world until finally meeting his lifespan end.
“What is this place? Damn it, again...swapping worlds to continue tormenting me? I’ve lived enough. Now I just want to die!” Tang Xiaoyu felt utterly hopeless.
A maid exclaimed in fright, “Oh no! Young master is having another episode!”