A Peacock Husband of Five Princesses by day, a Noble Assassin by Night-Chapter 180: Raw -

Inside the prayer hall, Thea sat cross-legged in front of a large, ancient Buddha statue, draped in saffron robes and aged by centuries.

Her bridal hairpin still tucked into her bun, she seemed oddly out of place, still in her wedding attire, but enveloped in a cocoon of divine light.

At her front stood Half-Deity Monk, Kong Jian, his palm glowing with golden radiance as it hovered over her forehead.

Ancient Sanskrit verses whispered softly from his lips, too ancient for most ears to decipher. His expression was solemn and focused, his entire being emitting a faint, otherworldly divinity.

Kaelen, Thea’s father and the House Griffin Patriarch, stood quietly nearby with his hands behind his back. Though he didn’t interrupt, his eyes rarely left his daughter’s pale face.

As the golden light faded, the monk withdrew his hand, and the divine aura dissipated into sparks of gentle warmth. The sealing process was complete.

"It is done," Monk Kong Jian said, his tone kind but firm. "The seal has been restored."

Thea opened her eyes and quickly got to her feet, then bowed deeply with her palms pressed together, "Junior thanks Benevolent Master Kong Jian for your mercy."

The monk gave a gentle smile. "It is not a great deed, Patron Li. But I must ask, what happened? Why did the seal crack?"

Thea hesitated, her brows furrowing. "I... don’t remember. I was sleeping, and then... it was like something snapped inside."

The monk frowned slightly, stroking his long prayer beads.

"The seal only breaks when the host is under intense emotional stress... or when the alternate self forcefully tries to surface. It’s rare. You must maintain your composure, especially during emotional moments. Continue your sutra practice and meditation, child. Your calmness is your shield, and your anger will be a sword that not only hurts others but also your soul."

Thea nodded obediently, though her gaze flickered with uncertainty.

Standing to the side, Kaelen’s expression darkened in thought. He looked at his daughter for a long moment before glancing toward the great Buddha statue.

"Was it really just stress...? If so, why? The wedding? Or was it Qin Wei? Could my daughter truly have felt so anxious on her wedding night that the seal cracked? Or did something else happen..."

A small frown formed on his lips as the thought lingered.

Then his gaze sharpened, turning his expression resolute. "No matter the reason... this marriage must succeed. I’ll need to intervene personally to help them bridge the gap."

With that, he stepped forward to thank the monk.

\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*

Ch: Thea at the Auction House

A few hours later, around Noon;

Thea and her father, Kaelen, arrived at the entrance of Ashenford City Auction House.

Servants and guards flanked the gates, but parted immediately when they recognized the insignia on Kaelen’s robe.

Just as they were about to enter, as if remembered something, Kaelen stopped and turned to his daughter.

"I’ll leave you here for now," he said, his voice low. "Just be done with the business and return."

Thea gave a firm nod, although there was a faint discomfort on her face. "Yeah, I will."

Without another word, Kaelen turned and departed down the marble steps, leaving her to enter the building.

Inside, the auction house was bustling.

Scribes scurried between podiums, announcing new bids and showcasing rare items.

She was met quickly by a middle-aged woman in dark silk robes. Her demeanor was crisp and professional.

"Lady Thea," she said with a respectful bow, "I am Xi Zhi, the house manager. I was informed of your visit. You’re here regarding the Weeping Guanyin, correct?"

"Yes," Thea replied, her tone cool but firm. "I want to know if it truly appeared here. If it is, I would like to take it with me."

Xi Zhi nodded. "It did. Please, follow me. I’ll show you the holding chamber."

As they began to walk deeper into the auction house, past crowds of minor nobles, mercenaries, and cultivators browsing the wares, curious glances followed Thea. Her white robes and delicate phoenix hairpin were enough to draw attention, but it was her poise that held them away from approaching her.

They were just passing a display of spirit-bound weaponry when a voice called out.

"Thea?"

Thea paused mid-step. Her spine straightened subtly. She turned slowly as the edge of her jaw tightened, gazing at the person who called him. "Hmm? You?"

Standing a few paces away in a striking crimson dress was Su Wan’er, the heiress of the Su Clan and her long-time self-proclaimed rival, although in the eyes of Thea, she is like a sour grape, always present at the edge of every gathering, trying to outshine Thea with louder laughter and flashier robes.

"Well, well. What a surprise," Su Wan’er said as she sauntered over, her fan tapping against her palm. "You’re out so soon? I heard you got married just yesterday and thought you would be at home with sore muscles and all. I guess nothing happened yesterday, huh?"

Thea didn’t reply immediately. Her eyes narrowed slightly, lips pressing together in a neutral line. She spoke one word, low and flat.

"Su Wan’er."

"So formal," Wan’er chuckled. "Don’t tell me you’re here to buy something for your charming husband? Considering the stories I’ve heard, he’ll need some protection. Defensive talismans, maybe? A hundred of them? For someone like him, that still might not be enough."

The sarcasm in her voice was sharp, but laced with the sweetness of someone used to speaking in veils and barbs.

Around them, a few nearby onlookers turned to eavesdrop.

Thea’s fingers curled slightly at her side, nails pressing into her palm, but she didn’t rise to it. Her gaze remained calm. "Before you worry about my husband," she said, "you should focus on your own cultivation. It’s been two years, and you’re still stuck at fifth rank."

Su Wan’er’s smirk faltered. Her jaw tightened as if Thea rubbed the salt on her wound. "You!"

But Thea had already turned her attention away, looking back at Xi Zhi. "Let’s go," she said coolly.

Xi Zhi nodded at once and resumed walking, clearly uninterested in becoming part of the rivalry.