Chapter 61

The gates of Baruke Cheng slowly opened in the afterglow of the setting sun.

Aikesi and his group descended from the sky; as the flying magical beast folded its wings, a gust of wind rose, stirring up dust before the city gates. Bake carried the unconscious Bu'en on his back, stumbling as he landed on the ground, while Gaici, Heishark, and Anke leaned on each other, covered in blood and in a wretched state.

The soldiers at the city gate saw this scene and rushed forward in shocked exclamations. The squad leader in charge of the city defense was the first to charge forward; recognizing these blood-soaked warriors as the kingdom's most core generals, his face instantly turned deathly pale, and the spear in his hand nearly fell to the ground.

"Lord Bake! Lord Gaici!" The soldiers' voices rose and fell; some ran to fetch healers, while others stepped forward to support the injured generals.

"Quickly call the healers! Quick! Go fetch the best healer!" The squad leader shouted loudly at a soldier behind him, who immediately sprinted into the city, his leather boots making urgent tapping sounds on the stone pavement.

"Carry Bu'en in first; his injuries are the most severe." Bake said in a deep voice. Two soldiers carefully took the unconscious Ba'en, supported his arms, and walked toward the clinic inside the city.

Aikesi retracted the flying magical beast, held Monika's hand, and walked into the city.

Inside the city gate, more soldiers had arrived upon hearing the news; some whispered, speculating on what had happened that could injure powerful figures like the five Bake brothers so severely.

The news quickly reached the royal palace.

Linlei strode out of the palace, with Diliya and Beibei following behind him; Diliya wore an expression of concern, while Beibei hopped along behind, his small eyes darting around.

Linlei had originally been cultivating in the south; sensing Heilu's plea for help, he rushed back immediately after finishing affairs in Sheli Juncheng.

"Aikesi!" Linlei stepped forward quickly, punched Aikesi on the shoulder, his eyes full of joy and excitement.

During this period, the affairs of the duchy had weighed on him until he could barely breathe, and Aikesi's return was undoubtedly the best news for him.

Monika bowed slightly, a gentle smile on her lips: "Greetings, Brother Linlei."

Linlei hurriedly returned the greeting.

He smiled: "Miss Monika is too polite. For this fellow Aikesi to marry you is his good fortune. As his brother, I am happy for him."

Beibei poked his head out from behind Linlei, his small eyes darting around as he sized up Monika from top to bottom, making clicking sounds with his tongue: "Boss, this girl is even more beautiful than Diliya!"

"Beibei!" Diliya's voice came from behind; she quickly stepped forward, first glaring fiercely at Beibei, her eyes clearly saying "Just you wait," then turning to Monika with a friendly smile in her eyes.

Diliya wore a pale blue long dress today; standing together with Monika, each had her own unique charm. If Monika was a gentle white lotus, then Diliya was a bright rose.

"So you are Monika? Linlei mentioned you when he returned." Diliya extended her hand proactively, "Welcome to Baruke Cheng; from now on, this is your home."

Monika took Diliya's hand, feeling the warmth in her palm, and a sense of warmth instantly rose in her heart: "Sister Diliya, you are even more beautiful than Aikesi described."

The two women smiled at each other, the atmosphere harmonious.

Diliya took Monika's arm and led her toward the inside of the royal palace, chatting as they walked, speaking gently about the customs of Baruke Cheng and some interesting stories in the palace, giving Monika a better understanding of this strange place.

Linlei turned to look at Aikesi and said in a low voice: "Bake and the others are not lightly injured; arrange treatment first. Come to my study tonight; we will talk properly."

Aikesi nodded, his gaze sweeping over the wounded soldiers being carried away: "That is exactly what I intend. There are indeed matters that need careful discussion."

Night fell, and the Baruke royal palace was brightly lit.

Dozens of Magic Lamps were lit in the palace hall; the pale yellow light illuminated every corner as bright as day. The long table in the center of the hall was filled with food and fine wine, but the atmosphere tonight was not relaxed; most people only took a few simple bites, their minds entirely on the battle that had just ended.

After the healers treated Bake and the others, their injuries were no longer critical.

Inside Linlei's study, candlelight flickered, casting dancing shadows on the walls with its dim yellow glow.

The study was not large but was arranged with great elegance. Bookshelves against the wall were filled with various books. A sheepskin map lay spread on the desk, marked with different colored inks indicating the areas the duchy had already controlled and the territories yet to be conquered. On a small tea table in the corner sat a pot of hot tea; the curling tea fragrance added a touch of warmth to this study full of masculine energy.

Aikesi sat in a chair by the window; he lifted the teacup and took a sip. Looking at Linlei opposite him, he said in a deep voice: "Speak; what exactly happened during this period?"

Linlei leaned back in his chair, his expression grave. He recounted one by one the events after Aikesi left: the Baruke Gongguo launched a lightning war against surrounding cities; the five Bake brothers swept through the enemy armies, capturing five cities in a few days; subsequently, they conquered Mote Juncheng, where Heilu smashed the city gate in a display of divine might; the duchy controlled a population of nearly three million and was preparing to establish a kingdom.

"Originally, everything went smoothly." Linlei shifted his tone, a hint of coldness flashing in his eyes, "but the Radiant Church could not sit still."

Aikesi put down his teacup; the bottom made a light sound on the table: "Wusennuo?"

"Not just Wusennuo." Linlei stood up and walked to the map hanging on the wall. He tapped the location of Sheli Juncheng with his finger, "Wusennuo led nine four-winged angels to attack Sheli Juncheng; Bake and the others nearly suffered total annihilation. Had you not arrived in time, the consequences would have been unimaginable. Wusennuo is a powerhouse at Sanctuary Peak, and each of those nine four-winged angels possessed the strength of Sanctuary Intermediate; with such a lineup, let alone Bake and the others, even if I faced them personally, it would require considerable effort."

"Did the Radiant Church send others? Besides Wusennuo, who else?"

Linlei nodded: "During the time you were away, the Church sent at least three groups to infiltrate Hunluan Zhi Ling. Daring not to act directly against me, they secretly incited nobles in surrounding duchies to rebel and sent assassins to kill our generals."

He pointed to several locations on the map: "Here, here, and here; small-scale conflicts occurred in all these places. The Church wants to exhaust us through a war of attrition, waiting until our forces are dispersed before concentrating their strength to strike."

"With Wusennuo dead, the Radiant Church's offensive should temporarily subside." Linlei sat down again, saying in a deep voice, "but the Church will not give up easily. They lost a Sanctuary Peak powerhouse and nine four-winged angels; they will definitely settle this score."

"What are your plans?" Aikesi asked.

Linlei pondered for a moment, his fingers unconsciously tapping the table: "The kingdom is about to be established; I plan to first stabilize the interior and thoroughly integrate the Eight Great Duchies. The current situation is not yet stable enough; some places submit on the surface but are secretly exchanging glances with the Church."

"

"As for the Radiant Church—" A flicker of killing intent flashed in Linlei's eyes, so intense it seemed almost to solidify into substance, "however many they send, I will kill them. Whether it is the Sanctuary realm or angels, if they dare step onto my territory, they will not leave alive."

Aikesi smiled slightly: "This is truly your style, Linlei."

He stood up, walked to Linlei, and extended his hand: "I will assist with all my might. Whether dealing with the Radiant Church or integrating Hunluan Zhi Ling, wherever you need me, just speak."

Linlei looked at the hand Aikesi extended, and a warm current surged in his heart.

"Good."

Outside the study, the moonlight was like water, the silver-white moonlight bathing the entire garden.

The garden was filled with various flowers, including roses and lilies common on the Yunluo Continent, as well as some rare varieties transplanted from distant lands. The night breeze blew, filling the air with floral fragrance; petals swayed gently under the moonlight, as if dancing a silent dance.

Diliya and Monika sat on a stone bench in the garden, talking in low voices. The stone bench was covered with soft cushions; on the small stone table beside them sat two cups of flower tea and a plate of exquisite pastries. Diliya lifted her teacup and took a sip, turning her head to look at Monika, her eyes filled with curiosity and kindness.

"Aikesi, this person," Diliya said with a smile, her voice soft and warm, "is truly good to those he cares about. I have known him for so many years and have never seen him treat any woman the way he treats you. You are the first, and the only one."

Monika raised her head; the moonlight fell on her face, reflecting the gentle light rising in her eyes. She recalled the days recovering in the mountains; every day Aikesi would tell her stories of the outside world, telling of his adventures on the Yunluo Continent, the battles he experienced with Linlei, and those interesting people and things.

"I know." Monika said softly, a smile of happiness on her lips, "During the time I recovered in the mountains, he told me stories of the outside world every day. He said he had several very good brothers, with Brother Linlei being the first. He said Brother Linlei is a person worthy of entrusting one's back to."

"," Diliya took Monika's hand; her hand was warm and soft: "From now on, we are sisters. In this Baruke Cheng, you will not be lonely. No matter what happens, you can come to me. When you are happy, we will share it together; when you are sad, I will accompany you through it."

Monika nodded gently.

On the other side of the garden, Beibei squatted on the rockery, a nut in his mouth, speaking indistinctly: "Two women whispering there, so boring. I'll go find Heilu to play."

Inside the study, Linlei and Aikesi were still discussing. The tea on the table had already gone cold, and the candle had burned more than halfway, but neither showed any sign of ending the conversation.

"After the kingdom is established, how do you plan to arrange things?" Aikesi asked, his fingers slowly sliding along the rim of the teacup.

Linlei thought for a moment; a clear plan had already formed in his mind: "I plan to make Wodun the king and Nina the queen. Although Wodun is young, he has learned a great deal over these years. Xierman will assist with administration; he is excellent at management, and the duchy's development over the past few years cannot be separated from his merit. Bake and the others will be responsible for the military; the five brothers each have their strengths and cooperate seamlessly, making them the most suitable military generals. As for me, I will cultivate in seclusion at Heiwu Shan, focusing on improving my strength. The situation on the continent is becoming increasingly complex; the Radiant Church is watching hungrily, and the Yunluo Continent side is also unstable; I must become stronger."

"Then what about your marriage with Diliya?"

Linlei's face showed a rare tenderness, that tenderness like a warm current surging beneath an ice-frozen lake: "We'll hold it once the kingdom stabilizes. I've already made her wait too long; I can't delay any further. All these years she has stayed by my side, never leaving no matter what difficulties we faced. I owe her a grand wedding."

Aikesi smiled: "That's perfect. Monika and I will hold ours together too. Double joy; we must make a proper celebration then."

Linlei paused in surprise, then burst into laughter, the sound echoing through the study: "Good! Double joy! We'll invite all our friends then and celebrate properly!"

Night had deepened; the candle had burned to its end. The last wisp of candlelight swayed a few times in the gentle breeze before finally extinguishing.

Aikesi rose to take his leave, pushed open the study door, and the night wind rushed to meet him, carrying the fresh, sweet fragrance of flowers from the garden.

He stepped out of the study and saw Monika still seated on the stone bench in the garden. Moonlight spilled over her white robes as if coating them with a layer of silver frost.

"Waited long?" Aikesi walked over, took off his outer robe, and draped it over her shoulders. The robe still retained the warmth of his body, warm and dry.

Monika shook her head, stood up, and leaned against his shoulder, breathing in the familiar scent on him: "Sister Diliya is very good; I like her. She told me many things about you."

Aikesi wrapped an arm around her waist and smiled: "I told you two would get along. Diliya is a very good person. For Linlei to marry her is his good fortune."

The two walked side by side out of the royal palace, heading toward Aikesi's Earl Mansion in the city. The houses along the street had sparse lights; most households were already asleep, with only the occasional window still glowing with dim yellow light. Patrol soldiers marched past in neat steps; seeing Aikesi and Monika, they all stopped to salute respectfully.

"My Lord Aikesi!" the soldiers' voices rang out neat and loud.

Aikesi nodded slightly in acknowledgment and, holding Monika's hand, continued forward.

"Aikesi." Monika suddenly spoke, her voice soft as a whisper in the night wind.

"Mm?"

"Do you truly intend to stay here forever?"

Aikesi stopped and looked down at her. In the moonlight, her eyes were clear as water, reflecting his image. He reached out and gently brushed a strand of hair from her cheek, his voice low and firm: "Wherever you are, that is my home. Whether in the Magical Beast Mountain Range or in Baruke Cheng, as long as you are by my side, everywhere is the same."

Monika's cheeks flushed slightly; she softly "Mm"-ed and buried her face in his chest. Listening to his strong heartbeat and feeling the warmth of his embrace, a sense of peace and happiness unlike any she had known before surged within her.

Aikesi tightened his arms and drew her into his embrace.

The Earl Mansion was not far; turning two streets brought them there. Two Magic Lamps hung before the mansion's gate, their pale yellow light illuminating the steps. The guards at the gate, seeing Aikesi return, hurriedly opened the main door and bowed in salute.

Aikesi, holding Monika's hand, stepped over the threshold and entered the mansion. The mansion was not large but arranged with great warmth; several fruit trees grew in the courtyard, and beneath them stood a stone table and several stone chairs. Monika very much liked this small courtyard.

"Rest early," Aikesi said softly, releasing Monika's hand. "There is much to do tomorrow."

Monika nodded, turned, and walked toward her room. After a few steps, she turned back to look at Aikesi: "Good night, Aikesi."

"Good night, Monika."