Never Pick Up a Stranger on the Road—Unless He’s Useful

On our wedding night, Cole confessed that he was a celestial warrior sent down to undergo a mortal trial, already betrothed to a celestial fiance.

He didn't even lift my bridal veil, his voice cold and hard.

You cared for me for two years. As repayment, I can grant you two wishes.

Aside from asking me to stay.

I clenched my fingers, peering through the red gauze at his distant, emotionless gaze.

"Can you do anything? Can you bring someone back to life for me?"

He let out a quiet breath, a flicker of relief crossing his face.

"Your mother? Yes, I can. You two shared a deep bond; its only right."

I lowered my head, guilt churning in my stomach. The truth was, I lied to him. My mother was the person I hated most in the world. The one I wanted to resurrect was my husband, Liam. He had died two years ago, on the very day I saved Cole.

01

You shouldn't pick up strangers from the side of the road. I knew that.

But I still saved Cole's life.

Because he was useful.

I had known for a long time that he was a celestial warrior. And I even knew his celestial fiance.

Two years ago, my husband Liam fell off a cliff and died. I buried him, my heart shattered into a million pieces. Just as I was contemplating ending my own life, heartbroken and desolate, I suddenly heard the celestial fiances voice.

"How did you get so badly injured...? Cole, wake up!"

I gasped, quickly hiding in the tall grass to watch. Cole lay motionless on the ground, blood at the corner of his lips. His face was astonishingly handsome, so beautiful it felt sacrilegious to even look. My heart leaped into my throat. I quickly averted my gaze, but out of the corner of my eye, I caught a flash of golden light.

The celestial fiance used her divine power, and Cole slowly stirred. His voice was like clear spring water splashing over jade.

"Sierra, what are you doing here?"

"A mortal trial cannot be aided by external forces. Go back."

The celestial fiance looked utterly wronged. "I was worried about you"

"Worried I might fall for a mortal woman and jeopardize our engagement to the Phoenix Clan?" Cole cut Sierra off with a mocking, increasingly cold tone. "Rest assured, celestial fiance, I remember my mission. I will return to the celestial realm in two years."

"Now, leave."

Even from afar, I shivered, chilled by the cold aura radiating from him. Sierra persisted, unwilling to leave. "I wanted to see who would save you. What if shes prettier than me?"

Cole grew impatient. "If you don't leave and delay the timing, and this mortal trial of love fails, our engagement will still be canceled."

"It's only two years. Afterwards, I will grant her two wishes."

"Mortals are greedy. Once they get what they want, they likely won't cling on."

Sierra sniffled, pouting playfully. "Alright, then. But you promise not to fall for her, no matter who charms her into marriage. And absolutely no wedding night!"

"Mmm." Cole agreed. Sierra looked at him a few more times, then reluctantly departed.

After she left, Cole lay back down. He pressed his ring finger to his heart, then coughed up a mouthful of blood. My eyes widened in shock, his words echoing in my mind: "I will grant her two wishes."

This was a celestial being. Surely, he could help me bring Liam back? My heart pounded like a drum. After a moment, I gathered my courage and ran to his side. "Sir, are you alright, sir?"

"This jade token will grant you free passage in and out of the Underworld."

Cole's voice pulled my scattered thoughts back into focus. He opened his palm, and a flash of white light revealed a smooth, luminous jade token. My eyes lit up. I immediately snatched off my bridal veil. My movements were so quick that the red gauze tangled in my hair ornaments, pulling out a strand of hair.

A faint smile flickered in Cole's eyes. "So eager? It seems you miss your mother very much."

I took the jade token, tears welling up in my eyes. "Yes, I miss him dearly."

"The jade token will guide you to the Underworld. Just state her name, and a Reaper will bring your mother back to life." He raised his hand, seemingly intending to tuck a stray lock of my hair behind my ear. I quickly turned my head, avoiding his touch. His fingers stiffened slightly, then slowly retreated.

"Have you thought about your second wish?"

"Wealth, power, extended lifespan."

"Just name it, and I will grant it."

I clenched the jade token in my hand, shaking my head softly. "No need. I have no other desires." After two years together, I understood Cole somewhat. If I dared to ask for anything else, he would immediately retract the jade token and turn his back on me.

Sure enough, Cole nodded, satisfied with my answer. "Ivy, you are not greedy, and you are so understanding, never making things difficult. I am truly sorry for what Ive put you through."

I smiled bitterly. "I understand that compared to the celestial fiance, I am insignificant. I wouldn't dare to harbor such illusions." The more compliant a woman, the more guilt a man feels. Hearing me, Cole sighed. "Actually, if you truly can't bear to part with me, I could return and discuss it with Sierra, persuade her to let me take you as a concubine."

"There's no need for that" It was getting more absurd by the second. I twitched my lips, stood up first, and politely said, "Celestial warrior, you have undergone a mortal trial for two years. I'm sure you're eager to return. I won't keep you any longer."

"Perhaps you can come back and visit someday."

"Very well." Cole nodded, giving me a deep, searching look before transforming into a streak of white light and departing.

The next day, news spread throughout the village that Cole had run off in the middle of the night. Aunt Martha, my neighbor, stood on the other side of the wall, raising her voice deliberately. "Did you hear? Ivy Rivers' handsome husband ran off! I saw it myself; he was picked up by a grand retinue!"

"I told you! How could such a handsome man fall for her? He must be a powerful figure from Newhaven, and Ivy Rivers just got lucky, picking him up off the street."

Aunt Sarah gasped. "He ran off on their wedding night? Doesn't that make Ivy Rivers a deserted wife?"

"Do you think someone will come for her and take her back to Newhaven in a few days?"

"You two need to stop reading so many romance novels"

I smiled wryly, my voice calm, almost amused. I was a widow, and most villagers looked down on me, but they weren't malicious. For the past two years, as I cared for Cole, they had gossiped about me finding a new lover right after my husband's death. But no one had ever exposed the fact that I was already married. For that alone, I was grateful.

"Ivy, I told you long ago that Cole didn't care for you, but you wouldn't listen!" Aunt Martha, producing a handful of sunflower seeds from somewhere, began cracking them. "That man, after you saved his life, did nothing all day but read books and practice sword fighting. He clearly never suffered a day in his life and treated you like a servant."

"Tell Aunt Martha the truth, is he from Newhaven?"

I gave her a mysterious look. "He's more powerful than anyone in Newhaven. He's a celestial warrior from the heavens!"

"" Aunt Martha and Aunt Sarah fell silent, a rare occurrence. After a moment, they exchanged glances. When they looked at me again, their voices were filled with sympathy. "She must be heartbroken, lost her mind?"

"Oh well, what can you do? Shes my neighbor. Ill slaughter a hen for you to get your strength back."

I smiled softly and turned back into the house. No chicken for me. I was preparing to move.

Everyone in the village knew Liam had died two years ago. If he came back to life, wouldn't he be seen as a monster? I needed to find a distant village, where no one knew us.

Over the next two days, I sold what I could, gave away what I couldn't. Then, I packed my belongings and moved to Maplewood Village, a dozen miles away. After tidying up my new small courtyard, I pulled out the jade token Cole had given me.

The jade token flashed with white light, conjuring an ethereal barrier. I looked left and right, confirming no one was around. Then, I stepped inside.

The Underworld was filled with chilling winds. My hand trembled as I handed Coles token to the Underworld Official. He glanced at it, frowning suspiciously. "This is a Celestial Warrior's token. How did you get it? Did you steal it?"

"I must report this to my superiors. I can't just let people pass through."

"Of course, of course." I nodded like a bobblehead, my heart pounding with suppressed excitement, and stepped to the side. He pulled out a talisman to contact Cole.

"Celestial Warrior Cole, your token has appeared in the hands of a mortal woman. She wishes to revive someone. Do you grant her request?"

My heart hammered in my chest, my blood rushing to my head. My face flushed with tension. Just as the Underworld Official finished his question and seemed about to move on to other duties, I bravely stepped forward and stopped him.

"Sir, the Celestial Warrior hasn't replied yet. Where are you going?"

He looked annoyed. "Celestial Warrior Cole is a busy man. How can he bother himself with such a trivial matter in the Underworld? If you're in a hurry, you can leave now."

My face froze, the boiling blood in my veins slowly turning cold. But just then, Cole's clear, detached voice came from the talisman.

Only one word.

"Granted."

Coles unusually prompt response made the Underworld Official take immediate notice. He not only released Liams soul at once but, without me even having to ask, crafted a physical body for him.

After two years, Liams appearance was exactly as it had been. He still had that same look, where his eyes would crinkle in a smile the moment he saw me. Seeing his somewhat pale face, tears streamed uncontrollably down my cheeks. Before my mind could even process it, my body had already rushed into his arms.

"Ivy" He held me tightly, his voice catching. "I can't believe we'd ever see each other again. How did you bring me back?"

My body stiffened. Even though Cole and I hadn't even held hands during our two years together, I still felt a ridiculous pang of guilt. I dared not utter Cole's name. I only said, "I met a celestial being"

Thankfully, Liam didn't press for details and followed me out of the Underworld.

For the next few days, we were inseparable, joined at the hip. All the traditional joys of success and marriage felt insignificant compared to this. I realized now that life's greatest joy was truly finding what you thought was lost forever. The hardships of caring for Cole over the past two years vanished like smoke.

Liam was as thoughtful as ever. He wouldn't let me do anything, keeping the house spotless. Two months passed quickly, and I still felt like I was dreaming. I was always afraid of waking up and finding him gone again.

Fortunately, that never happened. However, Liam's body was visibly weakening, and gray hairs had subtly appeared at his temples. I constantly worried, asking if he felt unwell. He simply smiled.

"Everything's fine. I just feel a bit heavier."

"But this is good enough. At least I can be by your side."

He didnt seem to mind, but I couldnt rest easy. I didnt want to lose Liam again, like I had two years ago. So, I lied, telling him I was going to the city for supplies, and instead headed to Serpents Peak.

Two years ago, when I first saved Cole, I was also very weak. Liam had just died, and even though Coles appearance offered a glimmer of hope, my spirits were low. Cole, perhaps fearing I might die and his mortal trial would fail, told me there was an herb on Serpents Peak that could replenish vital energy. I asked him, "Will you pick it for me?" He was reading at the time. He turned a page, then looked up.

"No time."

He was too lazy to go, and I had no heart for it. The matter was dropped. But two years later, today, I had to retrieve that herb for Liam. He had saved me from my mother, the slave trader. For both gratitude and love, I couldn't bear to watch him leave me again.

I packed some dried provisions and walked for what felt like an eternity before reaching Serpents Peak. After a grueling climb to the summit, and a long search, I finally spotted the herb. Just as I reached out to pluck it, a sharp voice suddenly rang out behind me. "Stop! That's mine!"

I turned around, meeting Sierra's furious gaze. Beside her, Cole, dressed in white, looked genuinely surprised. "Ivy? What are you doing here?"

Sierra gasped. "You know her? Is she... is she your mortal trial?"

My heart nearly stopped. But my hand, heedless of the danger, yanked the herb free and tucked it into my sleeve. Sierras face instantly darkened. I forced a smile, turning to leave. "What a coincidence. See you around."

"Give me that celestial herb!"

Sierra flashed in front of me, blocking my path. "How dare a mere mortal like you use a celestial item? Give it back!" She was surprisingly strong, yanking my arm, trying to snatch the herb away. Cold sweat broke out on my forehead, but I clung on desperately, refusing to let go. "I got it first!"

"Give it to me, or don't blame me for being rough!" Sierra wasn't backing down. I wouldn't either. "It's mine!"

"Ivy, is your mother unwell?" Cole frowned. "This celestial herb is the only one of its kind in the world. Sierra's spirit pet is injured, so please let her have it." He continued, his voice softer, "Your mother is old; even with this celestial item, it would be a waste."

I felt as though I had plunged into an ice cellar. My voice trembled as I spoke. "It's not for my mother. It's for me. I'm sick and desperately need this herb to save my life."

Cole's brows furrowed deeply. He scrutinized me from head to toe. Sierra grew impatient. "Cole, are you being foolish? She's so strong; she doesn't look sick at all!"

Cole's face darkened at Sierra's words. "Ivy Rivers, when did you learn to lie?"

"Hand the celestial herb to Sierra at once."

His meaning was clear: unless I was on my deathbed, the herb was to be surrendered. Knowing I couldn't overpower them, I immediately knelt.

"Celestial Warrior Cole, in exchange for the two years I cared for you, please let me take this celestial herb!"

"Don't you still owe me a wish? I'll use it for this herb!"

Cole sighed, his voice heavy with disappointment. "You were the one who said you had no other desires. Now you want me to grant your second wish?" He looked at me, his gaze sharpening. "Were you pretending then, secretly wanting more?"

I looked up, stunned, meeting Cole's chilling eyes. After two years of living side-by-side, he still saw me as nothing more than a greedy mortal. In my daze, the celestial herb in my sleeve floated uncontrollably out and flew towards Cole. He caught it, then handed it to Sierra.

I stood up, ready to snatch it back. He looked at me, his gaze as cold as ice. "To act so brazenly in front of a celestial fiance, Ivy Rivers, you must be tired of living."