Married to the Grim Reaper Against My Will

I've returned to consummate our marriage.

Ji Mian couldn't persuade Jiang Wang, even with the hidden death agreement; the two men insisted on fighting in the octagon.

Jiang Wang had already changed his clothes and was wearing boxing gloves. He bumped his gloves against Jiang Wang's and looked at Sheng Ge provocatively, "I've been holding this in for a long time. Let's settle this today? We won't make things difficult for the girl. If I beat you, I'll make my girl slap her ten times."

He raised his chin, gesturing to Shi Man.

"I haven't met someone this arrogant in a long time, kid. This is no joke. You've signed a waiver of life and death; you can kill me if you want."

Jiang Wang chuckled. "Stop talking nonsense. Just say whether you agree or not."

"I agree. If you win, of course you'll set your rules." Sheng Ge nodded. "And if you lose?"

"I won't lose." He smiled again. "If I really lose, I'll be your slave, just don't touch my girl."

"I actually admire your romantic nature. You're willing to risk your life for a woman. Fine, I'll grant your wish."

The once empty hall was now crowded with people, probably all drawn by the commotion, and some were probably called over by Shi Man, who wanted to show off.

Ji Mian sat in the audience, surrounded by strangers. She gripped her chair tightly, her heart pounding in her chest. Sheng Ge waved his fist at the audience, who erupted in shouts and whistles, all cheering him on.

Ji Mian was overwhelmed by the clamor, as if drowned in a wave of sound. She felt dizzy, her breath caught in her throat, and her blood seemed to freeze. Everything else seemed to have vanished; all she could see was Jiang Wang.

Sheng Ge raised his hand, signaling the referee to ring the bell.

As soon as the bell rang, he threw a punch without hesitation, a fast and powerful right hook aimed at Jiang Wang.

His movement was clean and swift, earning another thunderous cheer from the audience.

However, no one expected that the seemingly frail and weak high school student would react with such incredible agility. Sheng Ge, known for his fast punches, easily dodged it. Not only that, but he also swiftly retaliated with a backhand uppercut, striking Sheng Ge squarely in the chin and sending him flying against the octagonal cage wall with a resounding clang.

His speed was incredible; before anyone could react, still astonished that he had dodged Sheng Ge's punch, they heard Sheng Ge's muffled groan as he hit the ground.

A two-second deathly silence fell over the arena, followed by a frenzied roar, the noise almost lifting the roof off.

Ji Mian's heart, which had been pounding, instantly settled. Her breath caught again, and her frozen blood began to boil, stirred by the clamor.

Her face and heart were burning. Amidst the tsunami of cheers, she couldn't help but cover her mouth with her hands and shout, "Jiang Wang, go for it! You're the best!"

Jiang Wang on stage froze for a moment, looking towards the sound. The spotlight from the octagon shone on him, and Ji Mian could clearly see him smiling at her through the crowd, then winking.

Sheng Ge hadn't expected such speed and power from a skinny high school student. Stunned by the punch, he lay on the ground for a long time before slowly trying to get up.

However, a figure landed, and the boy was already in front of him.

He looked up at him with some fear, only to see the boy looking down, smiling at him??

And smiling very happily?

Jiang Wang couldn't control his laughter, gloating at him, "Did you hear that? He told me to cheer him on, said I'm the best."

Sheng Ge: Are you f*****g looking down on me? "You're fighting me, and you still have time to flirt with girls?!"

Sheng Ge's anger surged. He'd been caught off guard last time, but this time he was fully prepared to retaliate!

However, before he could even fully stand up, Jiang Wang punched him, knocking him unconscious again.

That strength was f*****g incredible.

Sheng Ge's head was buzzing, and the sounds around him were becoming unreal. He heard the boy squatting beside him, slowly saying, "Don't get up. I'll hit you every time you get up. I need to show her how tough I am."

His voice was laced with laughter, leisurely, as if he were just playing around.

It was incredibly insulting.

Sheng Ge struggled to throw another punch, only to be knocked down by Jiang Wang's punch.

He squatted on the ground, looking down at Sheng Ge, who couldn't get up for a while, a wicked smile playing on his lips. "What did I say earlier? 'I'll beat you to death,' right? Try getting up again."

Sheng Ge struggled for a moment, then finally collapsed to the ground like a salted fish.

Although most of the audience were Sheng Ge's men, people are inherently drawn to strength. These were all boxing enthusiasts, and this young man was so strong that it naturally made their blood boil, and they cheered incessantly.

The octagon opened, and Jiang Wang ignored everyone rushing towards him, running straight towards Ji Mian in the audience.

He stood in front of her, his eyes sparkling as he looked at her, panting, "Cool, isn't it?"

His voice was drowned out by the cheers, but she heard it clearly: "Don't I look like your knight in shining armor, Your Highness?"

Ji Mian's heart pounded wildly, but she couldn't speak. His words were a bit childish, but they warmed her heart with each passing moment. She looked at him, said nothing, and smiled faintly, her eyes reddening.

Just that small gesture, that subtle expression, made Jiang Wang feel that risking his life for her would be worthwhile.

Ji Mian had never laid a hand on anyone before. When Shi Man stood before her, she hesitated for a long time.

Shi Man couldn't believe that Sheng Ge couldn't beat Jiang Wang. She had initially wanted to show off, calling over a bunch of cronies, but who knew she'd end up in such a pathetic state?

Sheng Ge himself was slumped there, unable to breathe for a long time; he was certainly not going to protect her.

She stood there, surrounded by onlookers, feeling like she was being publicly tortured, filled with shame and torment, her face deathly pale.

Ji Mian stared at her, motionless for a long time. Jiang Wang watched idly from behind, "Go ahead and hit her. She didn't hesitate when she hit you. I've been holding this in for ages."

To save face, as if it were a fight to the death, she clenched her fists and shouted at Jiang Wang, "Jiang Wang, what's so arrogant about you? You're nothing but a lousy thug who knows how to fight! You're protecting Ji Mian now, and she'll be a bright college student in the future, while you're just a piece of social scum. Why would she even look at you? If I were you, I'd die right now!"

Jiang Wang's expression changed, but before he could speak, he saw the petite figure in front of him move.

A loud "slap" rang out as Ji Mian slapped Shi Man hard across the face. Everyone present was stunned, and the large hall fell silent. Ji Mian stared at her, saying each word clearly, "Then you go. Jiang Wang isn't going."

Jiang Wang was stunned by this sudden turn of events. Recovering, he looked down at the small, flailing figure in front of him, his laughter growing increasingly uncontrollable. He made a fist to his lips, trying to hide his laughter, but instead, he laughed out loud.

The suffocating atmosphere instantly shattered, and everyone turned to look at him.

They were fighting, and you laughed out loud?

Before anyone could react, a commotion erupted downstairs. Someone shouted, "The police are here!" It was probably Sheng Ge's group who, seeing Sheng Ge beaten, fearing trouble, called the police, reporting a group fight.

The crowd instantly stirred, everyone scrambling to run towards the back door.

Jiang Wang seized the opportunity in the chaos, grabbing Ji Mian's hand and running with the crowd.

Ji Mian had never experienced anything like this before. Her heart pounded with fear, and she let Jiang Wang lead her through the crowd as they ran wildly.

The sky was already completely dark. The two ran frantically through the streets. Ji Mian's heart felt like it was soaring with the wind. The boiling blood from before hadn't cooled down yet; she felt lightheaded, as if in a dream.

Jiang Wang suddenly turned around and asked her, "Having fun?"

Ji Mian rarely acted so recklessly, but she couldn't suppress the joy and excitement in her heart. She smiled at him in the night and nodded.

Before Ji Mian could react, Jiang Wang grabbed her and pulled her behind a bus stop sign, pinning her against it.

Ji Mian was suddenly startled. Her mind, clouded by the passionate atmosphere, instantly cleared. Before Jiang Wang's kiss could land, she didn't hesitate to raise her hand and slap him.

The force wasn't strong, but it stunned Jiang Wang for a moment.

He chuckled, tapping his cheek. "So fierce? Got a good beating today?"

Ji Mian pursed her lips, gave him a deep look, said nothing, pushed him away, and strode forward.

Her mind was in turmoil. She walked on and on in the night, the warm breeze obscuring the surrounding noise, traffic, and pedestrians. She was solely absorbed in her own terrible mood.

Just now, she had been blinded by the passion of fighting; now, calming down, she felt incredibly irritable and depressed.

She wasn't quite sure what was wrong with her, but she knew that although she hadn't shown it, she had been preoccupied with what Song Tian had said all day, and what Shi Man had said earlier.

Her life was in Xuanyang Jun's hands, something she couldn't predict or control. But Jiang Wang was different. He was a normal person, wanting to live a normal life, capable of controlling his own destiny, yet he treated everything with such indifference.

It seemed he had never taken anything seriously.

Ji Mian couldn't understand what Jiang Wang wasting his life had to do with her. Perhaps it was out of concern as a friend, or perhaps it was seeing someone waste something she didn't have, which made her particularly agitated.

What agitated her even more was that she had just fallen into depravity along with him. She had no future, so she absolutely couldn't let Jiang Wang drag her into it.

Moreover, the passion and excitement she had felt earlier made her uneasy. This emotion was subtly exceeding her perceived control, and she feared things would spiral out of control.

Ignoring everything else, she strode forward, a steady, unhurried footstep following behind.

"Jiang Wang, stop following me!" she turned around and shouted at him.

Jiang Wan was stunned for a moment and stopped. He felt a little uneasy, but he still pretended to smile nonchalantly, "You're pretty awesome. You dare to attack me? Aren't you afraid that I'll beat you up?"

"Jiang Wan, can you stop being so playful and smiling? Can you do something seriously?" Ji Mian was a little out of control, her eyes were red as she stared at him.

Jiang Wan's eyes dimmed, the smile on his face disappeared, and his expression became as deep as a bottomless abyss. "What I am doing now is the most serious thing in my life, but will you give me a chance? Ji Mian, what do you want from me? I have done everything I can do. Can't you pity me?"

It was the first time Ji Mian saw him looking so serious. For a moment, he felt a little uncomfortable, and he suddenly couldn't say a lot of words.

She was silent for a while, and then responded to him with the simplest and most effective excuse. She was not good at lying, but she and Xuan Yangjun were true, so it was easier for her to hide her guilt.

"Jiang Wang, you don't need to do anything. I won't agree to it. I've told you, I have a boyfriend, and we're very much in love. No matter what you do, it's useless, do you understand?"

"Ji Mian," Jiang Wang, unusually, didn't joke around this time, "Actually, you've been lying to me all along, haven't you? You don't have a boyfriend at all, right?"

"Jiang Wang, don't be stubborn. I told you, I do, I really do."

"Then why has he never shown up? Do you think I'm stupid? Are you playing me for a fool?!"

Jiang Wang started to lose control, her voice rising higher and higher.

"Jiang Wang, can you calm down? It really is. It's complicated. We have a promise; I'll never leave him. Don't waste your time on me. You should use your time to study, okay?"

Hearing the phrase "never leave him," Jiang Wang was about to explode, her reason consumed by rage. He sneered angrily, his eyes bloodshot as he glared at her. "What a load of bull! A lifelong promise! I'll f*** your ass! He won't even show up, and he makes this bullshit promise? This is k********g, coercion! What kind of man is he? Forcing a young girl? I've never seen such a shameless bastard in my life."

"No coercion, it was my own choice."

"Your own choice? Are you kidding me? Are you stupid?! Does anyone still force girls these days? How shameless! I don't think your man is any good."

"Jiang Wang, that's enough! I'm telling you this one last time, don't slander him anymore. If you keep doing this, I won't like you; I'll only like him more."

Jiang Wang stared at her in astonishment for a long time, his eyes churning with intense, frenzied emotions. "Fine, I was just being presumptuous. From now on, whatever happens to you, let your man protect you. If I ever try to help you again, I'm your grandson! f**k!"

After shouting that last sentence, he turned and ran away. He dared not linger for even a second longer, afraid he might lose control and do something to hurt her.

Ji Mian's temples throbbed, her head throbbing, and she had no energy left to care about him. She went back to her apartment and fell asleep immediately.

She woke up around 2 a.m. Perhaps the day's events had been too intense; she hadn't slept soundly all night. She rested in the darkness for a while, feeling thirsty, and got out of bed to get a drink.

Passing by the window, for some reason, she actually pulled back the curtains to peek out.

The curtains opened a c***k, and her fingers froze.

At 2 a.m., Jiang Wang sat on the curb below, hugging a lamppost, seemingly asleep.

The entire neighborhood was asleep. The long road was deserted, with no one coming or going, except for Jiang Wang, a solitary dark figure shrouded in the desolate night.

Ji Mian felt a lump in her throat; perhaps the late hour made her more sentimental. Looking at the shadow under the streetlamp, she suddenly wondered if she might be tempted.

If she let things continue, perhaps she would, she didn't know. But now, absolutely not. She would be eternally loyal to the Divine Lord Xuanyang.

Ji Mian raised her hand to touch her brow, her fingers barely moving, and without hesitation, closed the curtains.

*

Jiang Wang had drunk too much last night and didn't wake up until the afternoon of the next day. He got out of bed, haphazardly grabbing his disheveled hair, visibly exhausted.

The hangover gave him a splitting headache and made him even more irritable.

Only Lu Chen was in the apartment; he had stayed with him all day. He knew all too well what kind of scoundrel Jiang Wang was when drunk and dared not leave his side for a moment.

Lu Chen brought him some hangover soup. Jiang Wang held the bowl, rubbing his temples as he drank, muttering curses under his breath.

He looked up at Lu Chen, clearly annoyed. "Where did I slander him? I'm telling the truth. Where was he when Ji Mian was being bullied? If Ji Mian were with me, I'd cherish her dearly, and I wouldn't let anyone touch a hair on her head."

Lu Chen didn't reply, letting him spout nonsense. Last night, he'd been drinking like crazy without saying a word, which was scary. It was a good thing he was willing to talk and express his anger now.

Jiang Wang cursed Ji Mian's man, but she herself grew increasingly angry, so angry that...

"Look at that scumbag! Is he even a man? His own girl, and he doesn't even care about her??? Ji Mian is still so devoted to him, it's unbelievable! Don't you think he's a scumbag manipulating Ji Mian?"

Jiang Wang paused, then a flash of inspiration struck him, his mind clearing completely. He felt like a genius.

He excitedly slammed his bowl down. "Absolutely! Ji Mian is so sweet, she's so easily fooled by scumbags! He never even shows up, yet he has Ji Mian completely under his thumb? And what kind of bullshit agreement is that? It's definitely brainwashing rhetoric! Damn, what a scumbag!"

Jiang Wang thought about how his precious daughter, someone he wouldn't even raise his voice to, was being bullied and manipulated by a scumbag, and he was so angry he wanted to kill him immediately. Besides, the news he'd seen about those scumbags who used PUA techniques all looked like s**t, and just thinking about it gave him a headache.

He couldn't stand it for another minute. He threw off the covers, grabbed his phone, and stormed out, clearly not going to do anything good.

"Where are you going?" Lu Chen quickly stopped him.

"Back to the Heavenly Palace."

Seeing his unfriendly expression, Lu Chen anxiously pressed, "Back for what?"

"I can't let that scumbag deceive Ji Mian. I'm going to find him, show Ji Mian his true colors, and then kill him!" He gritted his teeth. "I'm going to the Heavenly Palace to find a secret technique to kill him without anyone knowing."

Lu Chen: ...You're a god, not a villain.

"By the way, it's Friday today?"

"What now?"

"That witch is going back to the Heavenly Palace. I can see her."

"Jiang Xuanyang, don't cause trouble! You and Ji Mian got your comeuppance, don't drag innocent people into this!"

"Why would I cause trouble? This time when I get back, the witch's matter must be resolved." He paused, his expression unusually serious. "This feeling of insecurity is too unbearable. I can't let Ji Mian experience it too."

After saying that, he walked out like a gust of wind.

"Big brother, at least put some clothes on!"

Jiang Wang glanced at him. "Am I someone who needs to wear clothes?"

Lu Chen was speechless: Fine, fine, you're the best, go run naked in People's Square, okay?

*

Ji Mian returned to the Heavenly Palace after six o'clock. However, in summer, it wasn't completely dark by six o'clock; fiery clouds still lingered on the horizon, painting the sky a tender, pale red.

After a journey of over an hour, she was a little tired and rested for a while before starting her homework.

But Xiang Shu sent someone with a message—

"Madam, the Divine Lord has returned and is outside the mansion. You need to go and greet him."

Ji Mian felt as if struck by lightning; she shuddered, dropping her pen.

She subconsciously glanced at the Divine Lord's true form hanging on the wall, a wave of fear washing over her. Having lived in the Heavenly Palace for several months, although she had grown accustomed to the Divine Lord's true form, the thought of this blue-faced, fanged Divine Lord appearing alive still made her tremble uncontrollably. Xiao Zhi noticed her face turn deathly pale and immediately comforted her, "Madam, don't be afraid. Although the God-King has a bad temper, he's still reasonable. Just go along with him."

Ji Mian bit her bloodless lips, controlling her emotions, nodded blankly, and then stiffly walked out.

Her mind was completely blank. The vermilion gate appeared before her, her heart pounded in her chest, and her breathing became increasingly rapid.

She clenched her hands tightly, wiped the cold, sticky sweat from her palms, took a deep breath, and slowly, very slowly, pulled the bolt, pushing the gate open little by little, her face ashen as she looked out.

Jiang Wang stood outside, seething with anger, his brows furrowed, a fierce black mist swirling around him, his aura overwhelming. All the evil spirits in the Heavenly Palace trembled uncontrollably at this powerful aura. But none dared to utter a ghostly cry, lest they be caught by the God-King.

He stared intently at the vermilion gate, waiting for the witch to appear and reveal her most ferocious and unapproachable face.

The door opened wider and wider, and Ji Mian, her robes fluttering, appeared before him.

Ji Mian?!

Ji Mian!!!

The black aura surrounding Jiang Wang dissipated rapidly before his eyes, his fierce expression turning into utter bewilderment.

He felt as if he had been punched, his soul nearly leaving his body. He stood frozen, motionless for a long time. A tremendous shock and joy swept over him simultaneously; even the most devastating heavenly tribulation couldn't compare. His mind went blank, and he almost collapsed to his knees before Ji Mian.

Ji Mian was no less shocked than him. She was completely dazed, even wondering if she was dreaming. But her instincts, honed over months of training, told her that upon seeing the God, she must be obedient, greet him, and strictly abide by the rules of the Heavenly Palace.

She froze, staring at him in disbelief, swallowed hard, and whispered in a trembling voice, "Husband...Husband? W-Why are you back?"

Jiang Wang, stunned as if struck by lightning, blurted out instinctively, "Let's consummate our marriage!"

His voice was loud and self-righteous, startling Ji Mian once again.