- C Language Cultivation

Lunar Calendar, June 13th, Major Heat. The sun, sharp and glaring, silently scorched the streets of Shanlan County. As summer was nearing its end, the county town at noon remained sweltering. Most of the living folks sought refuge under eaves or shaded trees, unwilling to endure the cruel sun's relentless torment. Only Huai Tree Alley in the west part of town bustled with life, bustling with human presence. The crackling sounds of firecrackers echoed intermittently, starkly contrasting with the rest of the quiet county. Today marked the wedding day of Kong Ning, the constable of Huai Tree Alley, and consequently, many relatives, friends, and neighbors gathered on the streets. The blaring red trumpets announced the wedding celebrations, their joyous and shrill sounds slicing through the crowded throngs, letting the world know the couple had completed their wedding rites. A matchmaker adorned in red and green accepted congratulations with a beaming smile as the master of ceremonies shouted out the rituals: first bow to the heavens and earth, then mutual respect between husband and wife, and finally, the bride was escorted into the bridal chamber. Subsequently, a lively and joyous wedding feast commenced. The alley, though small, accommodated twenty-four tables, with fresh and warm dishes being served in succession. Dressed in his striking red groom’s attire, Kong Ning laughed heartily as he moved about amidst a throng of guests, welcoming and bidding them farewell, ensuring each was seated. Having crossed over into this world eleven years ago, although he hadn't achieved fame by penning poetry, topped the examination lists, or invented lucrative items like cement or perfume, he was fortunate enough to possess a stable family and caring parents, living a relatively peaceful and prosperous life. Inheriting his father’s martial arts legacy, he secured a position at the Shanlan County Bureau once he came of age, drawing a salary as part of the patrol unit. His adeptness bore testament to his inherited martial skills, making him the most renowned constable, favored by the county magistrate and well-liked among his colleagues. Now, he experienced an additional life milestone, marrying a virtuous, beautiful, gentle, and gracious wife. Life’s happiness and fulfillment seemed complete. Although he couldn't achieve grand endeavors like other transmigrators, his naturally lazy temperament left Kong Ning rather satisfied. He grinned as he greeted guests at each table, engaging in conversations with them, busying himself fully. By afternoon, the county magistrate personally arrived at Huai Tree Alley to deliver blessings and congratulations, elevating the occasion’s festive spirit. People marveled at the young yet famed constable, speculating about the time it’d take for him to secure the rank of chief constable. Thus, the lively wedding night extended well into midnight, with guests gradually dispersing. Dressed in his vibrant red wedding attire, Kong Ning bid goodbye to each guest, thanked neighbors who helped clean up, and was finally urged into the backyard by friends and family. There, tranquility prevailed. Even the normally noisy cicadas of summer fell silent, as if unwilling to disturb the auspicious and joyful wedding night. The windows adorned with celebratory red characters reflected the interior's candlelight glow. Standing outside the bridal chamber, Kong Ning couldn’t help but rub his hands together, slightly nervous. Despite two lifetimes, it was his first time stepping into matrimony, marrying the girl of his dreams. His lack of experience led to moments of excitement. Nonetheless, he gently pushed open the chamber door and walked in with a bright smile. Inside, red light engulfed the room, adorned with celebratory characters and lit by red candles. Atop the bed was a figure shrouded entirely in red. The festive bridal veil concealed her face, her immaculate hands lay quietly on her lower abdomen, fingers long and delicate. This bride, named Su Yan, wasn’t chosen by parental arrangement or matchmaking. She was a kind girl Kong Ning met out of his own free will. She hailed from distant Jiangyun Prefecture, having come to Hejian Prefecture seeking refuge with relatives after disasters struck her hometown. Unfortunately, her relatives perished in a flash flood, leaving her family bereft and soon targeted by bandits, leading to her parents’ tragic demise. The girl, alone, leapt into the turbulent river, eventually swept to the outskirts of Shanlan County. There, Kong Ning, on his early morning walk to the bureau, chanced upon her and rescued her from the river. Since then, with his assistance, the orphaned girl managed to find a menial job at a tavern in the county. Conveniently, the tavern stood near the county bureau, leading to frequent encounters as Kong Ning often drank there with colleagues. Over time, mutual affections developed, culminating in their union as husband and wife. Reflecting on their journey, though not particularly convoluted, their meeting, acquaintance, and affection were certainly not without challenges. Smiling, Kong Ning approached the bridal bed, using the scale beam as instructed by the matchmaker to lift the bride’s veil. Immediately, a slightly bashful, finely crafted face entered his view. Despite having seen her numerous times, even secretly holding hands and kissing before marriage, the sight of the bashful young bride in her red wedding dress left Kong Ning momentarily entranced. Then, he broke into a smile. "My lady, we're married now." The girl shyly nodded, her hands squeezing slightly. Soon, the lamp in the bridal chamber was extinguished. The cold moonlight filtered through the paper-covered window, casting a glow upon the wedding bed. In the room, a low cry of pain echoed. "Husband~~" What followed was the sound of soft, measured breaths. That night, for the first time in two lifetimes, Kong Ning became one, heart and soul, with the girl he cherished. The cold lunar glow filtered through the window adorned with joyful characters, descending upon the gradually soothing wedding bed. Outside, Shanlan County had quieted completely. Under the icy moonlight, household lights were snuffed out, enveloped in shadows. On the deserted streets, only the night watchman’s drumming sounded intermittently, lifelessly. "The weather is dry... be cautious of flames..." Bustling Huai Tree Street by day was now so silent not a soul was in sight. Amid the rustling leaves, an ancient locust tree silhouetted by the moonlight cast a vast shadow, enveloping Kong Ning’s small courtyard. Yet the bridal chamber, covered in joyous red characters, lay untouched by shadows. Silently, the cold moonlight spilled onto the bridal chamber. In a daze, Kong Ning dreamt strangely. In the dream, his wife, clad in a sheer undergarment, her beautiful, pale skin exposed, lay beside him. When her drool dripped onto his stomach, it felt icy against his skin. Kong Ning chuckled to himself, opened his eyes, and began, "My dear, why aren't you..." The final word, "asleep," froze in his throat. Upon opening his eyes, Kong Ning witnessed an utterly horrifying scene. Chilled moonlight filtered through the paper-covered window, descending upon the wedding bed. His wife, indeed in her sheer undergarment, lay across his stomach. But what touched him wasn’t a soft, pink tongue, but her slender, sharp nails. The nails, eerily long, gleamed an icy white under the moonlight, continuously tracing lines across his stomach. Things happened rapidly—his stomach skin opened, hanging to the sides, revealing writhing intestines and liver. Seeing Kong Ning awake, his wife, still bashful, remarked, "Oh dear... husband, why did you wake up? You should rest after all that exertion." As she whispered shyly, a strange black object emerged from behind her, poised toward Kong Ning’s writhing intestines. By the scant moonlight, he discerned the black object fully. It was... a giant scorpion tail?! Segmented in black shell, the tip sported a huge, blood-red sting. The monstrous sting, as big as an infant’s head, aimed directly at his exposed innards. In Kong Ning’s terror-stricken gaze, the enormous sting viciously drove into his abdomen. Unbearable pain assailed his mind, rendering him unconscious from the agony. The last he heard was his wife’s bashful whisper. “Laying eggs... it’s such an embarrassing thing, you’re not allowed to watch!” His consciousness slipped swiftly into oblivion.