Chapter 323: We Will Build a Mighty Empire

Upon hearing Dashan's words, Nan Qinghuan also found it strange—how could Rongdi suddenly be willing to coexist peacefully? Could senior brother's persuasion have worked? Senior brother now can't return, and he also refuses to come to the tribe and be with them; could it be…—she was about to say something when Ashu's voice came from outside.

"Om, look who's come to see you?"

When Li Xiang entered, Nan Qinghuan was completely stunned.

She stared at him in amazement, almost unable to speak.

She never expected that one day senior brother would come to the Tulou to see him, and that he would not come stealthily but be invited in.

The two just looked at each other in silence.

Finally Li Xiang smiled, hurried over and tucked the blanket around her, in a very affectionate manner.

"Look at you, all grown up yet still kicking the blanket; you're supposed to be a mother, pay attention."

These words made Nan Qinghuan feel a sharp sourness at the tip of her nose; she never in her dreams imagined senior brother would one day speak to her like this, treating her as kindly as before.

"Senior brother, what exactly is going on?"

These two have many things to discuss, so Axi and Ashu also couldn't stay idle, but Dashan was very wary of Li Xiang, always feeling that Li Xiang intended to take Nan Qinghuan away.

"Om, I'm standing guard outside; if anything comes up, call us."

After Dashan left with his men, A Mu also brought in water; when she saw Li Xiang, she was somewhat frightened, "Y‑you, who are you? You, go out, you go out."

"A Mu, don't be like that; he's my older brother."

"Older brother?"

A Mu remained very wary; no other men had ever come here. She watched Li Xiang cautiously, and Li Xiang quickly introduced himself, "Hello, I am Li Xiang, Nan Qinghuan's older brother."

A Mu understood a bit; she also knew Rongdi had arrived, and that this white‑skinned person was helping Rongdi. In her view, they could not get along with the Beastmen.

"Qinghuan, does Ying know?"

"A Mu, it was Ying who had Ashu bring me here; he knows. I just wanted to come see my sister, nothing else."

With Li Xiang's words, A Mu had no reason to object; since Ying consented, there was no problem.

She hurriedly placed the warm water beside Nan Qinghuan's bedside, "Qinghuan, drink some water first; A Mu will prepare food for you in a moment."

"Thank you, A Mu."

After A Mu left, Li Xiang moved a stool and sat down, scanned the surroundings with a glance, and finally fixed his gaze on Nan Qinghuan's eyes.

Those eyes were still so beautiful; he now deeply regretted, realizing he should not have acted that way before, that he had almost discarded her.

"Qinghuan, have you taken the Tai Sui yet?"

Nan Qinghuan quickly sat up, not knowing what had happened, why Rongdi would suddenly give her such a precious thing. "I just ate it, feeling much better. Senior brother, what exactly is going on? Did you persuade Rongdi?"

Li Xiang knew she couldn't hide it, and he nodded. "It's not entirely that way. I used to think this Beastman Rongdi wasn't human, wouldn't understand human feelings, so he was ruthless. But now I suddenly realize he's not that kind of person; he remembers that Ying rescued him from the Emperor Crocodile, so when he learned Ying wanted this thing, he decided his own wound was incurable and he would bring this thing to you. I also realized this time that, since I can't leave anyway, I'd rather stay and help Rongdi. However, you also know that if Rongdi holds a grudge against Ying, that's not good for either you or me, so I gently nudged him, telling him that if he could coexist peacefully with the Ying Tribe, his tribe could become as strong as yours. Junior sister, the changes here that Rongdi sees, I also see. So this is the only way; to become strong we must cooperate. I no longer wish to kill Ying, of course, and my view of him has changed a lot. He even allowed me to see you today. Before I was narrow‑minded, always overlooking one point: I always thought you didn't belong here, that taking you away was best. But now I understand I'm too stubborn."

These words made Nan Qinghuan very happy; senior brother finally saw the light.

"You finally understood?"

Li Xiang let out a deep sigh; of course he understood—if not, even if he took Nan Qinghuan away, he would only bring back an empty shell. So that day he decided not to leave; he would stay with Nan Qinghuan, develop the tribe together, and turn this place into a new Eden.

So that the tribe here could eat their fill and dress warmly.

There would be clothes to wear, houses to live in, and no worries about food and drink.

He also wanted to stay for another reason: to watch Qinghuan. As long as he could see Qinghuan happy, he would accept being with a wild person.

Seeing Li Xiang silent, Nan Qinghuan didn't know what was wrong with him, "Senior brother, thank you for understanding. Actually, when I first arrived, I also wanted to escape; I ran away twice and he caught me both times."

These words made Li Xiang's face turn pale, "You ran away twice?"

Nan Qinghuan let out a deep sigh, as if feeling it was something from a past life.

It seemed she had been here for almost a year.

Winter was approaching, and this year had seen earth‑shaking changes.

"Yes, I ran away, but later I didn't want to run any more."

Li Xiang had never heard such words; he wanted to know why. "Why?"

Nan Qinghuan let out a deep sigh, "Because that man was willing to entrust his life to me, to protect me with his life. Senior brother, I cannot betray someone like that. Later I decided to stay. I saw how pitiful the tribe lived; back then we slept in caves and ate only some fruit, having nothing. Yet the people here treated me very well; they are the most simple‑hearted people I have ever met. This inspired me to want to bring them prosperity. I want these tribespeople to eat their fill, dress warmly, and live good lives in the future. For this goal, Ying and I have been working hard, always making whatever is lacking. Until this place underwent a massive transformation, the tribe can now rest and thrive endlessly."

Hearing this, Li Xiang fully comprehended.

So that's how it is.

He let out a deep sigh, now never to be foolish again, hoping everything is still in time.

This time he is sincere.

It turns out people's thoughts really can change, like Qinghuan, and like himself now.

"Rest assured, after this, I promise our two peoples will get along well; later we will turn this place into a town, building a city‑state empire."

Now Rongdi is already willing to lay down their hatred, Ying also consents, and even this Beastman can turn around; how could a modern person not manage it? Nan Qinghuan never expected that a trip to the Bolan Festival to encounter the Emperor Crocodile could cause senior brother, Ying, and Rongdi's relationships to change.

It's truly marvelous.

Now Li Xiang's thoughts align with hers; if senior brother could also come to help her, why should the Ancient Land not undergo earth‑shaking change? She felt deeply moved, naturally grateful to Rongdi, for they brought hope.

"That's great, senior brother; if they can reconcile, our two peoples can share resources."

"Exactly, that's also my and Rongdi's view; rather than being enemies, we should be friends. Qinghuan, I will stay here to help Rongdi, but rest assured, Rongdi has changed a lot now. Of course, we'll help each other; I believe with us we can soon achieve our wishes, okay?"

These words moved Nan Qinghuan deeply; she never imagined it would come to this day, and recalling how fiercely she had quarreled with senior brother, she felt guilty.

He can truly abandon his dislike of Ying and coexist peacefully with them? "Senior brother, are all your words sincere?"

??