Bai Yi Dijun stared at Donghua Dijun sitting in front of him with a slight frown on his face.

"You want to marry our Xiao Jiu? I don't understand. How do you even know her?" Bai Yi asked skeptically. He had arrived back in the Fox Realm the night before and while he was having his breakfast, Xiao Jiu had entered the dining hall with a face full of smiles. He had looked suspiciously at her because he knew the different emotions in her face and what they usually meant. The way she was smiling, he knew she wanted something from him that she knew he would probably not agree to.  He wondered what new hairbrained scheme she had in mind now.

"Father, you're back! I miss you!" Xiao Bai quickly rushed to her father and hugged him from behind. "Where's mother? Is she still sleeping?" she asked while looking around. She wanted to talk to them together about her relationship with Donghua as her mother was the soft hearted one between the two and would probably help her.

"En. Why are you running around so early. Have you recuperated enough? You need to rest more. It's good for your cultivation." he said as he looked at his only child from head to foot. Although he knew that she was all right, he still could not help but worry when he heard from his steward that Xiao Jiu had fallen into a coma for at least 2 weeks after facing the Pareesi Dragons.

"I'm fine! My cultivation is almost back to normal."

"Is that true? How did you recover so fast?" He was surprised. He was informed that she had depleted her cultivation. She couldn't have regained it so fast.

"Umm, that's what I actually wanted to talk to you about." Xiao Bai now looked a little guiltily at him. Just as she was about to say something else, Donghua Dijun sauntered casually into the hall. Bai Yi was surprised at the casual and informal way he just entered their dining area but he quickly did the traditional greeting to welcome the appearance of the old God. He gestured for Dijun to sit and partake of the meal with him.

"I did not realize that Dijun is still in the Fox Realm. Is there something else that we need to worry about?" Bai Yi asked feeling a little anxious. Aside from some adverse events that may have happened or supposed to happen, there was no other reason why Dijun was still in the area especially since Zhe Yan and Bai Zhen were already back.

Donghua shook his head and glanced lightly at Xiao Bai who had a helpless look on her face.

"Father!"

"Father in law..."

They said at the same time. Bai Yi looked towards Xiao Jiu when she called him. It took him a few seconds to realize that Donghua Dijun had spoken at the same time and even longer to become aware of what Dijun had just called him. Thinking that he merely misheard, Bai Yi looked at Dijun with a puzzled look on his face.

"I'm here to ask for your blessings. I would like to marry Xiao Bai." For Donghua, there was no reason to prevaricate or start with small talk. Better to get to the point immediately.

Bai Yi was confused at first as to who Dijun was referring to. "Marry who? Who's Xiao Bai?"

"Bai Feng Jiu." Donghua clarified, his eyes now looking at Xiao Bai with infinite tenderness leaving no room to doubt as to who he was referring to.

"I don't understand. You want to marry Jiu'er? Our Jiu'er?" Did he just enter into a parallel universe?  No, even if he entered a parallet universe, such a thing as Donghua Dijun wanting to marry his daughter was impossible.   "Jiu'er?" Bai Yi turned his gaze towards his daughter looking for an explanation.  

"Who's getting married?" Xiao Bai's mother who just entered the dining hall heard the words of Bai Yi. She was also surprised to see Donghua Dijun, who had now stood up, in her home. Just as she was about to do the traditional greetings, Xiao Bai got out of her seat and fled to her side and started to pull on her sleeves.

"Hai Lan greets Donghua Dijun." she said. Donghua returned her greeting as both took their seats.

"Mother, it's me. I'm getting married.  Umm, I want to get married." Xiao Bai was the one who answered.  She looked at her mother eagerly asking for her support.

"To who? Who are you marrying?"  Hai Lan was surprised.  She and the rest of Xiao Bai's female relatives have been trying to matchmake Xiao Jiu for awhile now but the latter has always resisted any attempt to match her with someone.  She's even went as far as tricking these potential suitors away from her.

"Umm, Dijun."  she said gesturing towards Donghua.

Xiao Bai's parents were now both looking at their daughter.  They did not know how their daughter managed to rope Dijun into joining the prank on them.  Their daughter truly had some abilities.  "Jiu'er, this is not something to play around with.  Declaration of marriage are serious things.  There's a limit to things you can jest about.  You even convinced Dijun to join you."   Bai Yi furrowed his brows but didn't say anything else as both parents waited for the punchline to what they perceived to be a trick being played on them.  They were so used to Xiao Jiu's ways that they did not stop to consider the fact that Donghua Dijun would never jest about something as serious as this.  In fact, he will not jest about anything at all. 

"Father, I'm being serious.  I really would like to get married to Dijun."  Both parents merely looked at her wondering how far she would take it.

"Forgive us if this comes as a surprise and for not informing our elders earlier." Donghua finally said.  Of all things he thought would happen, he never imagined that Xiao Bai's parents would not take his pronouncement seriously.   "We are very serious about getting married.  This is not a prank or a trick being played on you."  Donghua tried to keep the exasperation from his voice as he was forced to clarify the situation.  "I came here to ask for your blessings."  The Bais were really one of a kind.

"I see." Bai Yi said although in truth he did not really see. Having come back to his senses, he realized that it was impossible for Donghua Dijun to be standing in their dining hall in order to play a trick on them.  Why, it was almost as impossible as him wanting to marry Xiao Jiu.   He was struck dumb for a moment, not knowing what to say.  Which was more impossible?  How can they be serious about getting married, he wasn't even aware that the two knew each other.   He looked at his wife uncertainly.  

"When did this happen? Ah, Jiu'er I didn't even know that you knew Dijun."  Hai Lan asked timidly.  In truth, she was not dissatisfied with this match if it was true.  How many people wanted to marry Donghua Dijun.  When she was young, like so many others of her age, everyone fantasized about being with this great God.  However, everyone knew that the Deity wanted to stay alone for life.  But now, he actually wanted to marry her daughter and from the expression on Xiao Jiu's face, she was more than willing to tie herself to him.    

"We met in the Sky Kingdom and found that there are many things we have in common.  We are compatible, we like each other so the next logical step is for us to get married."  Donghua explained in a measured tone.  "Don't worry, I will take care of Xiao Jiu. I'll make sure she will always be protected."  Donghua knew what they were worried about.  It was understandablethat they were over protective of her.  He understood this protectiveness as he felt the same way towards his Xiao Bai.  If possible, he wanted to wrap Xiao Bai in a cocoon of protection so that she never gets hurt. 

"I still don't understand.  You want to marry Xiao Jiu?"  Bai Yi repeated looking doubtfully at the two of them.  Aesthetically, they were well matched.  One was handsome, the other beautiful.  However, did they really have many things in common, at least enough to join together for a lifetime?  "Marriage is a lifetime commitment.  You've only known each other for a short period of time.  Maybe you get to know each other more before you make that final commitment, see if you're well matched."  Bai Yi said feeling a little helpless and truthfully, a little resigned.  Based on the demeanor of both, they've already made up their minds.  Bai Yi knew that Xiao Jiu can be very stubborn if she puts her mind on something.  No need to talk about Donghua.  It was universally known that once he makes a decision, he doesn't deviate from it.  But Xiao Jiu was still so young, does she really know what it means to be married to Donghua Dijun?  He was different from young men who courted her.  He would brook no argument and as the supreme God, his word was law.  If there was an argument in the future, Xiao Bai's family cannot really protect her against him for how can they go against Donghua Dijun.  "Give it a year or so.  If you still feel the same way after that, then I freely give you my blessings."  By then, reality would have set in and both would probably be more than willing to give up on this idea of marriage, or so he hoped.   

"Bai Yi Dijun.  I know you are worried.  There is quite a big difference in our personalities, let alone our age and positions.  I do understand that.  However, our characters are the same.  We have the same outlook in life and we cooperate very well together.  Although Xiao Jiu is young, she is mature beyond her years and suits me well.  She understands me in a way that no one else does.  Even though we haven't known each other for a long time, I know deep down that she's the only one for me.  I don't take light of marriage.  As you know, I have stayed single for so long and I've never been entangled in any love relationship, it is because I do take marriage and the union between two parties to be sacred. I don't want to marry for political reason nor for convenience.  My decision to marry Xiao Jiu is not a momentary whim on my part.  I have thought about it in my mind and in my heart and has come to the conclusion that it is the best thing for us.  I will never do anything to wrong her.  You have my promise and my guarantee on that."

"I'm not a heartless person." Bai Yi said. "I can see that you truly care for each other and I do not want to break you apart.  However, I do have some reservations.  Your life is tied to the survival of the Universe,  given that your life can never be one of leisure and of peace.  Although there has been peace for so long, largely due to your efforts, the recent flare ups of the Beasts and unsealing of wards have made me apprehensive.  You're the one who has to deal with that.  If Xiao Jiu marries you, inevitably, her life will also be affected by strife and violence.  She's my only offspring and the love of our family, I cannot stand the thought of her getting hurt.  I know you're powerful enough to protect her for the most part but things do happen beyond the scope of our expectations.  I hope you can think about that."  This was the first time that Bai Yi had talked this much with Donghua Dijun.  Well, the first time also that he has heard Dijun talk this much to him, or anyone else for the matter.  Honestly, he was a little intimidated by the old God but he knew that he had to say his piece so that the old God would understand how precious, how important Xiao Jiu is to their whole family.

"Father... I understand where you are coming from.  The truth is, Dijun also has the same reservations as you.  He is also scared that the things he has to deal with will affect my carefree life.  Am I right Dijun?"  Xiao Bai interjected before Donghua can say something to rebut her father.  Donghua was startled as he thought he kept his apprehension carefully hidden away.  However, he realized that this was his Xiao Bai.  She can see through whatever he is thinking and he could never keep anything from her because she truly understood him the way others didn't.  Donghua gave her a gentle smile and inclined his head in assent.  "But you see, both of us have made a decision in our hearts to be together despite what life can throw at us.  Father, isn't that the true essence of marriage?  That you share both the good and the bad?  Life cannot be always good.  There will be times when things are not how we like it to be, but we work hard and we work together through it.  Isn't that the most important thing in a relationship?  Dijun and I have made a commitment to be there for each other in good times and in bad times.  So you should not have any reservations because there is truly nothing to be worried about.  Whatever happens in the future, we will deal with it."  Bai Yi and Hai Lan were shocked at the mature way Xiao Jiu was discussing the matter with them.  Despite her carefree nature, she had actually grown up and knew how to think things through.  It was clear from her demeanor that she is not jumping into this the way she jumped from one adventure into another but in fact, has been thinking about this methodically.  Maybe Donghua was right that even if they have different personalities, their characters were the same.  She maybe young, but she was old enough to decide what was best for her and for her life.  Donghua for his part was thankful that it was Xiao Bai who he decided to spend the rest of his life with.  She understood clearly how marriage was a true commitment to one another.

Xiao Bai walked to Donghua's side and took his hand as he looked at her with eyes full of tenderness.  Xiao Bai then turned around to face both her father and mother without letting go of him.  "Please father and mother, we really want your blessings to our marriage."  Bai Yi paused for a moment thinking about how he was about to lose his only daughter.  

"This...this ah..."  He was still reluctant but he was resigned.

"Father, don't think about this as losing me.  Think of this as gaining a son."  Xiao Jiu said knowing exactly why her father was still hesitating.  "Donghua, quick call him Father." she said cheekily.

"Father in law..."  Dijun promptly said following the words of Xiao Bai.

Bai Yi looked up in shock. Think of Dijun as his son? Donghua Dijun? The person was millions of years older than even him. Now, this thick faced Deity was even calling him father.  How can that be?  "Why don't you give it a few months or so before you get married.  By then, if you still really want to get married, then I will give you my blessings."  he repeated weakly.

"Does that mean you agree Father?  Thank you Father!"  Xiao Jiu said as she fairly threw herself into her father's arms, all traces of solemnity gone as she grinned from ear to ear.  

"Thank you father in law, mother in law."  Dijun bowed his head at them giving them the respect due to them as the parents of his future wife.  "However, I cannot wait a few months.  I've already calculated the dates and three weeks from now is the most auspicious day to get married.  There's no better date than this.  In addition, I want to hold the wedding in Bihai Cangling.  Although I have no father and no mother, this place is my home, where I grew up.  Also, it is the most spiritual place in the entire Immortal Realms.  I would like to marry Feng Jiu there."  Donghua said as calm as ever as he dictated what he expected everyone to follow, for him waiting longer for Xiao Bai to become his wife was untenable.

"Three weeks?"  Hai Lan squeaked out.  "No one can prepare for a wedding in three weeks.  Especially if one of the party is you."  she declared passionately forgetting for a moment who they were dealing with.  "I mean, pardon me, but we have to prepare for Xiao Jiu's trousseau, the rituals and her dowry.  Three weeks is impossible."  she continued explaining desperately when she realized she just contradicted Dijun.  But, but, how can her one and only child get married with a three week preparation time.  Weddings like theirs needed at least two years to prepare.  Three weeks was simply unfathomable.    

"Mother in law, don't worry, three weeks should be enough time.  I will ask Chonglin, my steward to assist in his matter.  Anything that is needed for the wedding would be prepared in time.  Bihai Cangling is a magical place.  All that is needed will be available.  Three weeks is long enough."  Donghua repeated firmly.   As a man, he saw no reason why a wedding cannot be prepared in three weeks.  After all, he was the most powerful God in the Universe.  If he can bear the weigh of the Universe on his shoulders, how can arranging a wedding be more difficult?

Xiao Jiu looked at them in turn.  If she had a choice, she really wanted to get married as soon as possible to Donghua but looking at her mother's crestfallen face, she hesitated a little.  She knew her mother has been looking forward to her wedding day since the day she was born.

"Dijun..." she murmured as she pulled on his sleeves.  Maybe a few months delay wouldn't matter so much not when it meant the world to her mother.  Bai Yi who had been silent for awhile looked at the anxious faces of both his wife and daughter.  As much as he wanted to demand a delay in the wedding, he knew that once Donghua Dijun had made a pronouncement, it was as good as done.  "Maybe we can give mother a little bit more time to prepare?" she said in a small voice as she bit her lips in anxiety.

"Xiao Bai..." Donghua sighed.  He knew he had to get back to Tai Chen Palace soon and would prefer it if he can take Xiao Bai with him when he left.  Three weeks was really enough time but he hesitated as he looked at her pleading face.  "All right, maybe three weeks is too soon.  There's another auspicious date for marriage according to my calculations in six weeks.  Six weeks and we get married, all right?"  Donghua said giving in a little.  

"Thank you Dijun."  Xiao Bai said nodding her head vigorously in agreement.   Donghua glanced at her, his heart feeling happy at seeing the huge beaming smile that graced her face.   It was really such a small thing but if it can make her so happy?  How can he say no when by doing this he can so easily give her joy.

Bai Yi looked at the couple in surprise.  Dijun changed his mind so easily when he was so adamant previously?  That didn't sound like something that the old God would do.  But when he saw the tenderness in the eyes of the Deity as he looked at his daughter, the eagerness to indulge, the desire to please, he realized that maybe he can put down his fear as to the balance of power in his daughter's future marriage.  It appears that his daughter was more capable than he imagined, she has actually managed to wrap the old God around her little fingers.  Thinking about how his daughter run rings around him and his whole family, Bai Yi wondered if he should be worried about the old God instead.  Xiao Jiu will definitely lead him around on a merry chase.

***

"Judging from the way you look now, I guess you've seen and talked to Xiao Jiu and Dijun?"  asked High God Zhe Yan as soon as Bai Yi entered his cavern.  He had been sitting with Bai Qian while examining her eyes when his brother in law entered with lips pursed and brows furrowed.  

"I still don't understand how they are together.   I don't know how it happened, but they're getting married in six weeks."  Bai Yi rubbed his temple.  Although he was a little less reluctant now, there was still a shadow of doubt in his heart.  

"Six weeks?  That soon?."  Bai Qian said in surprise.  Normally, weddings of this nature when involving the Gods and Goddesses are prepared two to three years in advance as the rituals involved were extensive, not to mention that this wedding would involve the Supreme God of the Universe.  When Xiao Jiu told her that Donghua wanted to get married immediately, she thought it meant in a year's time.  Six weeks seem a little too fast?

"At first he wanted to have it in three weeks."  Bai Yi sighed heavily as he sat down.  "Until Jiu'er talked him down, that is.  She seems to have some ability to manage him.  I don't know though if it's the right thing to let them marry, not that I can stop it even if I wanted to."

"On paper it's actually a brilliant match for Jiu'er." Bai Qian said objectively trying to sound optimistic.  "Think of how many families in the Realms would give anything for such a coup."

"Of all people in the Universe he seems the least likely to fall in love with her."  Bai Yi said still perplexed until now as to how the match came to be in the first place.  "What do you think Zhe Yan?  You've known Dijun the longest."

Zhe Yan paused for awhile to gather his thoughts.  "I think if you really think about it, it doesn't seem that farfetched for him to fall for her.  Their personalities may be different but fundamentally, they both believe in the same things, honor, loyalty ang being true to your principles." Dijun had said the same thing to Bai Yi.  "They complement each other in the best way possible.  I've never seen Dijun this carefree since I've known him and I've known him for a long time.  Not carefree in the sense that he will eschew his responsibilities but carefree in the way that he views himself.  I've always pitied him a little, to be honest.  Despite the almost unlimited power he has in his hands, or maybe because of it, he's always held himself too rigidly, too seriously.  But I've seen him be more open to people since he's been with her.  He's not so cold and domineering as before.  She's softened him in the best way possible.  On the other hand, Jiu'er seems to also benefitted from being with him all the time.  I can feel her maturity and the way she acts in a more measured way, quite unlike before when she frequently jumps from one situation to another.  She thinks more and considers more, which is a good thing to be for a future queen.  I think that they could really be good for each other if given the chance."  Zhe Yan concluded thinking of the difference he's seen in the old God since he's been with Xiao Jiu.            

"She does seem to have a handle on him and he seems to want to indulge her from the little that I've seen."  Bai Yi thought about the little tender glances that the old God was giving his daughter when they were talking about the marriage.  He could see the longing in the old God's eyes, as if he could not wait another minute to tie himself to her in every way possible.  Maybe the marriage wouldn't be so bad.  "He does look as if he would do anything to make her his."

"Well, he did give her his blood after the confrontation with the Pareesi Dragons. I think there's no bigger declaration of possession than that." Zhe Yan said revealing to the great stupefaction of Bai Yi and Bai Qian what Dijun had done for Xiao Jiu.

"He gave her his blood?  Was the situation so dire at that time that she needed it?"  Bai Qian asked.  The potency of Donghua Dijun's blood in curing all ills was legendary.  At least as far as legend goes, but he has never shared that part of himself with anyone until now.

"Actually, no. I checked on her after and I realized that he could have helped her with his powers even without needing to give her his blood.  I was actually very surprised when he told me what he did.  I thought maybe he misjudged the severity of the situation.  But, this is Donghua Dijun we are talking about.  He would not have made such a mistake.  So I think, he did it deliberately.  He wanted to mark her as his and so he did.

"Mark her?  How would giving his blood mark her?" Bai Yi asked, part curious, part frightened as to what it could mean for Xiao Jiu.  He suddenly remembered what the Seer of Bashi had said when she found them before the birth of Xiao Jiu.  She said that Xiao Jiu's life will be marked by both good and evil.  It had been such a long time ago that he had almost forgotten.  

"Most people are aware how potent Dijun's blood is although he has never given it to anyone.  I can attest to the fact that one drop of it can give an Immortal thousands of years of cultivation.   It's not something that can just be freely given in the first place.  However, the real reason that Dijun has never shared his blood with anyone is because his blood contains part of his primordial spirit.  If he gives it to someone, he has effectively transferred part of his soul to that person.  In effect, marking that person as becoming part of him, belonging to him.  In turn, he has also given himself into that person.  So in this case, whatever happens to Xiao Jiu will also affect Dijun, I just don't know to what extent."  

"I think I need to talk to Dijun again."  Bai Yi said feeling a real headache coming on.  He did not know what this new information portended to in relation to his daughter and Dijun and the Universe as a whole but something like this was really beyond his pay grade.  When the Seer of Bashi had given them her prophecy, they couldn't understand it so as the years had gone by, they had slowly forgotten it.  That's probably why it was only now that he remembered.  He needed to let the old Deity know everything because if anyone can understand it, it would be him. He would be able to deal with it if it was something that can adversely affect Xiao Jiu.  Like everyone else in the Immortal Realms, everyone knew that it was Donghua Dijun who was dependable.  They could count on him to protect everyone so he knew he can count on him to protect his daughter.