Chapter 122

I got sick after being drenched in rain all day. For someone like me who rarely catches a cold or fever since childhood, this was truly unexpected.

I was dazed for four or five days, each day just taking medicine and sleeping; anyone coming and going around me seemed a blur, with no sharpness at all. Even someone as medically skilled as Qi Ran could do nothing about a common cold, only staying by my side day and night to guard and care for me.

After five days, my illness had healed. Yet I saw that Qi Ran had grown thin all over, his brow filled with worry. Knowing that his cultivation method differs from ordinary people's, even going several days and nights without food or sleep would only make him look a bit more weary than usual. One can imagine how much anxiety he harbored over my ordinary little sickness.

The day my cold cleared, news arrived that the Prime Minister of Qi State, Wen Ce, had rushed day and night to Mist City, where he now waits in the main hall for an audience with Lord Lingfeng.

Over the past half year or so, I have almost personally witnessed Qi Ran and Lord Lingfeng step by step emerge from adversity, turning the impossible into possible and disadvantage into advantage through a difficult journey.

Therefore, no matter what, whether this road is joy or sorrow, legend or warning, I wish to see it through from beginning to end.

When I arrived at the hall, Lord Lingfeng was already there, lounging in the upper seat. All I heard was Wen Ce speaking with his head down: "……All the officials in court hope Your Majesty will return soon, and from now on must never again risk Your Majesty's safety in this way……"

Listening, I found it funny—this Wen Ce seemed less like a state chancellor and more like Lord Lingfeng's housemaid. As I pursed my lips trying not to laugh, Lord Lingfeng's gaze shot over like a flash; seeing a hint of surprise in my eyes, he then scrutinized me up and down.

My heart tightened; I quickly averted my gaze. Seeing Wen Ce already finished reporting in the hall, yet he remained seated, his face showing difficulty, indicating he had something hard to voice that he wished to present.

Lord Lingfeng had by then turned his head, his voice light: "Anything else?"

"Your Majesty……" Wen Ce forced a bitter expression as he rose, sighing, "Your Majesty, this is not my idea; she insisted on coming herself. You cannot blame me." As he spoke, he stepped slightly aside, revealing the figure of a man kneeling behind him with bowed head.

That man had a head of silky black hair bound with a hairband; as he bowed low, his hair swayed slightly, revealing a touch of ethereal beauty. He said, "Your servant pays homage to Your Majesty." His voice was like an oriole emerging from a valley, jade beads falling onto a plate.

After speaking, he lifted his head. A pair of beautiful almond eyes, like dark night stars, glistened with moisture as he stared blankly at Lord Lingfeng. His skin was fairer than snow, lips red and teeth white, his whole being exuding an indescribable gentle and graceful elegance—clearly a stunning beauty who could easily pass as a woman by wearing a hairpin.

Lord Lingfeng froze, and I froze as well.

Lord Lingfeng slightly furrowed his brows and asked, "Qingyi? How did you come here?"

"Qianqian——" I shouted and lunged forward; seeing me, Qianqian's eyes lit up with a flash of joy. After a long separation, the two embraced for a while before parting, the joy of surviving the ordeal lingering quietly in their eyes.

Qianqian can be said to be the only female friend in this world who treats me as an equal. Looking back now, during that half year in the Qi State palace, without her companionship I would have faced far greater hardship.

After the excitement subsided, I felt my body somewhat weak, given that I was still recovering from a prolonged illness, deficient in both qi and blood. Qi Ran timely supported me, helplessly saying, "Don't get too excited, or you'll easily feel dizzy."

Seeing Qi Ran suddenly tremble, Qianqian blurted out, "Young master?!"

Qi Ran gave a gentle smile and said, "Qingyi, you and elder brother have a chat. I'll take this girl back to rest."

Having said that, he carefully lifted me and left. At the instant he turned, I could see a fleeting shadow of sorrow in Qianqian's eyes, as well as Lord Lingfeng's unwavering gaze upon me.

I couldn't help but cling tightly to Qi Ran, burying my face in his chest, sighing silently.

In the vast hall, lanterns swayed, but at this moment only Lord Lingfeng and Wen Ce remained.

The strange silence lingered for a long while. Wen Ce anxiously gazed at the inscrutable emperor before him, unable to refrain from gritting his teeth, then spoke in a low voice: "Your Majesty, please make a decision soon. After all, one mountain cannot hold two tigers."

Lord Lingfeng gave a faint smile, turned with his hands behind his back, and said, "I have this matter under control; you need not say more."

"Your Majesty!" Wen Ce, hearing the refusal in his tone, grew anxious and, forgetting court etiquette, stepped forward and shouted, "Your Majesty, haven't you heard the rumors spreading among the folk outside? The chance to unify the world has already appeared. Between the Young Master of Yi State, Xiao Qiran, and the King of Qi, Lord Lingfeng, who will ultimately become the supreme emperor of Tianhe Continent? Even the generals in the army are speculating wildly—whether to go to war with the alliance forces, and now people's hearts are in turmoil. If Your Majesty does not decide soon, once the opportunity is snatched……"

"Wen Ce." Lord Lingfeng gave him a cold, sideways glance and interrupted without heat or chill, "You are being too presumptuous."

Wen Ce's whole body trembled; he almost reflexively dropped to his knees, voice shaking: "Your Majesty, please forgive me!"

The hall fell silent again; Wen Ce dared not even breathe, holding his breath until cold sweat dripped drop by drop from his face onto the smooth, mirror-like marble, unaware of it.

But after the time it takes to burn half an incense stick, Wen Ce could no longer restrain the fire burning in his heart and again launched a desperate remonstration: "Your Majesty, in this vast world, who would not desire to seize these fine lands? Even if the Young Master of Yi State appears aloof and unambitious, he is still an ordinary person. If he truly harbored no ambition for hegemony, he would never have founded Yi State in the first place. Your Majesty, one must never lack vigilance against others! Is there anything in this world that could move his heart more than the throne of all under heaven?!"

"Something that could move his heart more than the throne of all under heaven……" Lord Lingfeng slowly pulled a smile at the corner of his mouth and said lightly, "Of course there is."

That smile, reflected in the candlelight, made his peerlessly handsome face shine extraordinarily bright, yet faintly carried a few threads of longing and sorrow. It left Wen Ce, who had raised his head to stare at him, dumbstruck. After a long while, he spoke again, his voice heavy and dripping like bamboo leaves swaying and striking in the rain: "It is…… I…… who also have it, for the most part."

However, it was only an instant; he had already withdrawn that sorrowful smile, focused, and declared: "By my command, the war has ended. In one month, Qi State will begin reducing taxes by thirty percent domestically, soldiers will lay down their arms and return to farming, to rest and recuperate in peace. In the near future, I will not wage war against the two states of Yin and Yao."

"Your Majesty……" Wen Ce blinked, then quickly recovered from his shock, astonished, and asked, "Your Majesty, will you not pursue the victory?"

Lord Lingfeng gave a light smile, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes, the aura of one who looks down on all under heaven fully displayed: "If I am to win, I will win completely, and certainly not suffer mutual destruction. Wen Ce, watch and see—I need not attack; within half a year, the states of Yin and Yao will collapse from within, and only then will be the best opportunity to unify the world."

Wen Ce's heart throbbed; he felt the extinguished flame flare up again. To unify Tianhe Continent and achieve an unparalleled hegemony—over a lifetime of decades, how many could witness such a prosperous age, and how many could personally take part in it?

He bowed with utmost sincerity, deeply respectful, knocking his head to the ground before Lord Lingfeng, voice trembling: "Your servant obeys!" To follow this emperor before my eyes and swear deathless loyalty to him is the most correct decision I have ever made in my life.

On November 22, the first year of Tianhe 1262, Qiran said he wanted to marry me; he wished to do it quickly, I wanted to avoid extravagance, so we set the wedding for three days later, leaving those in the know both laughing and crying. The grand wedding of the Ice Ling Young Master of Yi State actually had no banquet, no wine, only a handful of participants—and yet it was made so strange.

Strange? Exactly, it's strange. Only because I insisted on holding the wedding in a modern fashion. In the modern world, my brother and I are not Christian believers, but our mother is. So our father specially built a sky chapel for us, inside which hangs a gold‑cast bell, hoping that when my brother and I marry, we can let our mother in heaven hear and see it.

Now, Qiran and I naturally cannot marry again in that sky chapel. Yet I still hope that by using a modern wedding format, we can obtain the blessings of our relatives and mother far away in another world.

Also because of my willful demand, at this moment only I, Qiran, and Bu Sha remain in the room, presenting a bizarre situation.

"Im——pos——sible!" Bu Sha glared at us fiercely; those three words almost burst from between his teeth, icy and chilling. Having said that, he walked off, seeming to flee in disarray.

"Bu Sha!" I cried anxiously, feeling the laughter bottled up in my chest about to spill over; I hastily suppressed it, putting on a mournful expression: "Bu Sha, if you don't agree, I won't marry!"

Bu Sha's back trembled visibly as he faced away from us; Qiran glanced at me sideways, his mouth curled in a smile yet tinged with disapproval, clearly saying: "Why do you always tease him?" I stuck out my tongue and answered with my eyes: "I don't!"

Bu Sha, probably having been pranked by me too many times, this time resolved not to be fooled, coldly saying: "If I don't do it, I won't do it!"

I let out an "ah," looked at Qiran with a solemn, pained expression, and said: "Well then, I really won't marry."

This time it was Qiran's turn to look headache‑ridden; he wiped his forehead, knowing I was joking yet feeling utterly helpless. Seeing Bu Sha about to reach the door, he couldn't help but let out a long sigh, then leapt forward to block his path.

"Bu……" Qiran gave a helpless, embarrassed smile, bowed with clasped hands, and said, "We're brothers—surely you won't be so heartless?"

I couldn't take it anymore! I couldn't help but flop onto the table, laughing until I nearly fell over, while straining to keep silent so Bu Sha wouldn't notice—truly agonizing to hold back.

"I won't do it!" Bu Sha's voice grew no colder, now tinged with a hint of regret. Likely his extraordinary spiritual sense had become too sharp, and he clearly sensed my teasing. Suddenly a black shadow flashed; the Blood‑Drawing Sword was already in his hand, slashing sideways at Qiran's face. Though the strike's momentum was fierce, its follow‑through weak—clearly just a bluff born of his anger and embarrassment.

"No way!" Qiran stared for a moment, then hastily drew his Cold Blood blade to block the strike, fluttering back a few steps. He could no longer hide his smile, saying: "Bu, we haven't sparred in ages—how about a match?"

I couldn't see Bu Sha's expression, but I could feel his whole body surging like a tide, as if merging with nature. It's really hard to say who is stronger between these two now.

Bu Sha coldly replied with a single "good," yet could not conceal the excitement in his tone. It seems Bu Sha's greatest interest now has truly become probing the pinnacle of martial arts. But this is good—at least he has his own pursuit and goal.

Qiran's eyes flickered with a strange hue as he smiled and said, "Then it's settled. If I win, you'll act as the priest; if you win, you'll be the best man."

"All……" Bu Sha had just uttered the word "good" when he immediately realized something was wrong, yet couldn't take it back. Seeing his neck flush red from behind, I couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"Bu Sha…… Bu Sha……" I rushed over, grabbed Bu Sha who refused to pay attention to us, forced the laughter down my throat, straightened my lips, and finally put on a sincere expression before saying, "Don't be angry, Bu Sha! Listen to me—this decision isn't just me teasing you."

Bu Sha halted his stance; though his face remained icy to the bone, he at least agreed to listen to me patiently.

"Bu Sha, you are the best friend of both of us." I smiled and spoke gently, "Don't you want to personally confirm our happiness?"

I bowed slightly, performing this great rite for Bu Sha for the first time, and said earnestly, "Because this is the most important matter of our lives, I don't want anyone else to stand in for us—so I beg you!"

The moonlight, serene and fine.

In a secluded courtyard of Mist Capital City there is a stone table, stone chairs, and two delicate flower lanterns hanging from the treetops. On the table sit two jars of fine wine and several plates of exquisite dishes. On the stone chairs sit two handsome men whose presence makes even the moonlight lose its luster.

Qi Ran raised the cup in his hand to Wei Lingfeng's face, with a sincere, hopeful expression said, "Brother, I owe you so much in this life, but for my wedding with Bing Yi I still hope to receive your blessing."

Wei Lingfeng had been keeping his head slightly lowered; upon hearing this he lifted it slightly, stared at him once, then looked up and drank the wine in his hand to the bottom.

Qi Ran did not move nor withdraw his hand; his face showed no trace of awkwardness or impatience, only quietly waited, waiting for his only relative's final answer.

Wei Lingfeng gave a faint smile, a smile that held unspeakable bitterness and helplessness. Qi Ran's hand that held the cup trembled involuntarily.

Wei Lingfeng took a piece of paper from his chest, carefully unfolded it, his movements meticulous as if protecting the most precious treasure, stared at it for a while, emotions of joy, anger, sorrow, and joy streamed from his eyes. Then a look of gloom and resolve flashed in his eyes; gripping the paper, he stood and walked to the flower lanterns.

Qi Ran gazed at his seemingly fluid movements, but in fact each fraction of a second contained a stiff pause; the guilt and helplessness in his heart grew harder to conceal, and he lowered his head in secret.

He knew that was the contract established years ago between Wei Lingfeng and Bing Yi. Although, to him, that piece of agreement seemed merely a child's play, unable to bind anything. Yet, for his big brother, perhaps it truly mattered.

The hand he had raised for a long time suddenly became empty; he saw Wei Lingfeng drink the wine in his hand in one gulp, the liquid lingering at his lip corner, dripping down, reflecting specks of starlight and moonlight.

Wei Lingfeng sat down, drinking cup after cup until empty; Qi Ran said little, merely accompanying him in drinking.

"The same seven words…" Wei Lingfeng's slightly hoarse voice suddenly sounded ahead; Qi Ran lifted his head, quietly looking at that extremely familiar face, listening to him speak. "Wei Lingfeng, I'm sorry, I don't love you. Xiao Qi Ran, I love you, unwavering until death."

Wei Lingfeng lifted the jade cup filled with pear blossom wine to his face; his beautiful eyes, heavy with sorrow and helplessness, shimmered with an almost invisible watery glint, as if penetrating the jade liquid, fixedly falling upon Qi Ran.

Suddenly, he tilted his head and poured all the wine from the cup down his throat; the pure aroma was as dry, clear, and mellow as on the wedding day, rich and lingering, flowing down his throat into his stomach, reaching his heart. Yet, why was today's wine so fierce, so hurtful?

Seven words! Why are the same seven words so decisive, so ruthless, leaving no room for any compromise? He doesn't let go—what else can he do?

"Bang!" At the moment the bottom of the cup struck the table, Wei Lingfeng sprang to his feet, the cup still unconsciously lifted. He looked down, dazed, then turned his gaze to Qi Ran; his voice, hoarse and strained to the point of being inaudible, nevertheless he persisted to finish, "Qi Ran, I… let go."

He gently reached out, carefully placing the cup on the table edge, inch by inch letting go, then resolutely turned and walked away, never looking back.

Qi Ran felt a suffocating pressure in his chest, taking a long moment to catch his breath. The apology he wanted to say never left his lips. Looking at the empty seats ahead, Qi Ran whispered, "Brother, the gift I gave you, I hope you like it." Three days later, the eve of my and Qi Ran's wedding, a sudden drum rolled through Mist Capital City; I was jolted awake from my sleep, but Qi Ran was nowhere to be seen. I listened closely to the drum, realizing it was a military drum summoning all troops for an urgent pre‑battle command; a sudden panic struck me, and I hurriedly donned my clothes and rushed out.

On the road I ran into Bu Sha, who wore a look of astonishment, clearly not knowing what had happened. For a moment, only footsteps could be heard throughout Mist Capital City, chaotic yet not disorderly.

Mist Capital is the capital of Yinchuan, and can be considered the palace of a small nation. Thus, though the city is not large, its construction is extraordinarily grand and magnificent. The city tower has three levels; the bottom houses a training ground that can accommodate nearly a million soldiers, and Bu Sha and I are currently on the second level of the tower.

"Bang bang bang—" the drumbeat accelerated from slow to rapid, like thunder crashing in my ears, forcing me to focus on the third level where the sound originated.

Yet when I looked, I was stunned; the man beating the drum had silver threads bound in his hair, flowing robes, a lofty elegance like an immortal—if not Qi Ran, then who could it be?

I couldn't help but look at Bu Sha beside me and asked, "What does Qi Ran intend to do?"

Bu Sha shook his head, his eyes showing no worry, and simply pulled me away from the bustling crowd, retreating to a stone table engraved with a chessboard where we sat down.

Speaking of the tower in Mist Capital, the first level is a barracks, housing mostly ordinary soldiers; the second level is far more leisurely and noble, with several stone tables for playing chess even in front of the city railings where spectators watch battles, showing the commanders' confidence and strategic foresight. The third level is essentially where Wei Lingfeng resides; others rarely go up there without business.

So Qi Ran's sudden ascent to the third level today, and the beating of the war drum—what exactly does he intend? Yet…

"Bu Sha, I'm so sleepy! If we could have a cup of tea to perk up, and maybe some snacks, that would be great." I yawned; although sitting here I was already far better off than the alert soldiers and commanders, I couldn't help to complain about the drum that woke me in the middle of the night.

Bu Sha tilted his head for two seconds, then vanished in a flash. After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn—a pot of tea, two cups, several plates of still‑visible delicate pastries despite having cooled—were placed before me.

I was stunned on the spot. This… I was just speaking casually…

"Bang—" after a massive thud that seemed to strike the chest, the Mist Capital tower, housing hundreds of thousands, strangely fell silent.

I looked down along the city railing; below, soldiers stood on either side of the city gate, clearly dressed as troops of Qi Kingdom and Yi Kingdom respectively. Yet I frowned—why were the Qi Kingdom soldiers' faces blank, while the Yi Kingdom commanders wore solemn, poised expressions, as if anxiously awaiting something.

This Qi Ran… what on earth is he up to?

At that moment, another tall figure appeared on the third floor's city edge. Wei Lingfeng, clad in a purple brocade robe, his hair adorned with a golden crown standing upright, walked leisurely toward the drumming Qi Ran and said calmly, "Qi Ran, what are you doing?"

Though also puzzled, his inquiry was a natural, rightful request, exuding effortless elegance. Every step, every motion radiated noble, dignified aura. Whether the Qi Kingdom commanders or the Yi Kingdom soldiers, at this moment they would gladly kneel before him.

Qi Ran gave a faint smile, warm and natural as a spring breeze, yet without any flaw. He seemed both right before one's eyes and far beyond the heavens; with just a smile or a word, he could make anyone act without resentment.

These two are born leaders.

Qi Ran did not answer Wei Lingfeng's words, turned and took a few steps forward, looking toward the densely packed, mostly bewildered crowd below, hands behind his back, and said, "Today, the emergency military order summoned you all here because there is something to announce." He paused, seeing the crowd holding their breath, and gave a faint smile. That smile, under the luminous moonlight, was like a fairy, instantly easing everyone's guard. He continued, "You all know that, as of now, the world is filled with debates, and so far only Qi Kingdom and Yi Kingdom have the power to unify the heavens and the continent."

As soon as those words were spoken, the previously eased tension instantly flared again; whispers spread from one corner, quickly expanding throughout Mist Capital.

I lifted a cup of clear tea, drank it to the bottom, and exchanged a smile with Bu Sha across from me. No words were needed; why need words?

"Bang!" another thunderous drumbeat finally suppressed the ongoing discussion.

Qi Ran gave a dignified smile, leapt to Wei Lingfeng's side, and softly said, "Brother, the gift I gave you, I hope you like it." If not for Bu Sha, whose inner strength was pure, relaying this, I wouldn't have heard it clearly.

After speaking, Qi Ran flicked his hand, tossed the drumstick, stepped back gracefully, and suddenly… before these heroic, battle‑scarred soldiers, in this millennial ancient city that had witnessed storms and sunshine, under this tranquil moonlit and star‑sparkling night, he dropped to one knee.

That night, the clouds were light and the wind gentle, the night alluring, yet could not compare to that blue‑clad man, with azure eyes, a peerless brilliance.

That night, drums echoed, crowds surged, yet could not match the blue‑clad man's bowed knee, a few words, the shock they brought.

Qi Ran raised the token representing Yi Kingdom's supreme authority over his head, knelt before the bewildered Wei Lingfeng, and, with inner power amplified, spoke each word clearly into his ear: "I, Xiao Qi Ran, hereby, representing Yi Kingdom, swear loyalty to King Qi, Wei Lingfeng. In this life and the next, all Yi Kingdom's generals, civil officials, soldiers, and civilians shall honor King Qi as supreme, obey his commands, and follow his will. Should we break this oath, heaven and earth shall not tolerate!"

"Should we break this oath, heaven and earth shall not tolerate!"

Those voices, not lofty but extraordinarily firm, clear and pleasant, resonated through the clouds, echoing repeatedly in the ears of all generals and officials.

"Thump—thump—"

As if to answer Qi Ran's oath, all Yi Kingdom generals and soldiers on the left side of the main gate knelt in unison, bowing and shouting, "King Qi, ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand ten thousand years!!"

Immediately after, the bewildered Qi Kingdom generals also knelt, forming a massive formation of nearly a million people, whose combined inner strength could not be matched by a single person, causing the entire Mist Capital to reverberate.

"Your Majesty, ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand ten thousand years!!"

"Clink—" Bu Sha and I raised our cups, clinked them together, drank in one gulp, then shared a light laugh.

At this point, the heavens and the continent will have only one emperor, only one nation.

From now on, the seas are vast, the sky boundless, mountains high and waters long, we shall forever roam.

(End of chapter)