[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-peace-decree":3,"chapter-the-peace-decree-the-peace-decree-chapter-557":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Peace Decree",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2328732,4553,"Chapter 557: Brother, Brother","the-peace-decree-chapter-557",557,"\u003Cp>The changes came too swiftly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just moments ago, they were still feasting, with Jiang Yuan pressing Jiang Gao with overwhelming force, intending to force him to drink poison and die—but Jiang Yuan’s years of arrogance, where none dared defy him, had blinded him to Jiang Gao’s true nature.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All these factors combined caused Jiang Yuan to overlook one possibility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He overlooked Jiang Gao’s sudden uprising.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wine spilled onto the floor; the clear liquid instantly spread, releasing a pungent stench. Those nearby who merely smelled it felt their sinews and bones soften, unable to stand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Gao’s peripheral vision caught the spot where the wine had spilled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There lay a carpet woven with the most luxurious techniques, said to repel water and resist fire—but within this fleeting moment, it gradually hardened like wood, stone, or crystal, translucent and gleaming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Fei poison!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Gao seized a weapon from a guard—a three-foot-three-inch sword forged from superior iron, a fine and reliable blade, yet alone with this single weapon, he faced the line ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Jiang Gao could not help but feel the bitter helplessness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What can be done? What can be done?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Ruo Qinhu had already drawn his weapon and stood before Jiang Yuan; swords and blades rang all around as guards and Imperial Guards had long formed ranks. He Ruo Qinhu’s move was nearly instinctive—he felt a helplessness beyond his control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet as he looked at Jiang Gao, sword in hand, facing these troops, his eyes flickered with surprise; for a moment, he seemed to see Jiang Wanxiang of old—equally young, equally featured, eyes burning with fierce fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Jiang Wanxiang of old had been filled with the grandeur of swallowing ten thousand miles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Gao now carried only fierce rage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In chaotic times, even a leopard changes its spots.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Jiang Gao, gentle and virtuous as a benevolent ruler.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Has he finally transformed under such circumstances?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too bad. Too late.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too late, Your Highness…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had you possessed such resolve earlier, who could have contested you for this realm and the throne of Daying? All civil and military officials of Ying State would have wholeheartedly recognized you as the next heir.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But without the events of these four years of Daye…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Would you have changed so?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Yuan first staggered back in shock, but when he saw He Ruo Qinhu, the Divine General of the Ninth Heaven, standing before him, and the guards arrayed around, he finally calmed, still holding his cup, pointing at Jiang Gao, laughing loudly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Laughing until tears streamed down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Utterly exhilarating, utterly free, utterly unrestrained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahaha! I knew it! I knew it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I knew you were this kind of man! You’ve finally shown your true colors, haven’t you? Jiang Gao, a gentleman? Hahaha.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just a hypocrite!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Yuan’s laughter faded. He stared at his elder brother, eyes filled with venom, and said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Guards! Seize this traitor who defies the Emperor!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Ruo Qinhu sighed, gripping his weapon. Jiang Gao remained unmoved. Though he knew today he could hardly survive, he still stood like a fierce tiger or a great dragon—a true man may die, but he will not be humiliated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet deep within, he still felt regret and unwillingness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He raged at himself for not awakening sooner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Loyal ministers of Jiang Yuan lunged at Jiang Gao, but none dared draw their swords. Jiang Gao’s martial skill was no slouch; with a sharp blade in hand and killing intent ignited, he merely sidestepped, then thrust one swift strike—piercing the heart of the minister who had urged Jiang Yuan to indulge in pleasure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sharp blade tore through flesh and heart; blood flowed steadily downward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Gao’s brow grew heavier with valor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ministers, smelling the blood, shrank back. He Ruo Qinhu held his weapon but did not move. The stench of blood not only drove the ministers back—it stirred Jiang Yuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyebrows rose, eyes blazing: “Go on!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kill him! I’ll grant you marquisates of ten thousand households! Ten thousand households!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kill him! Kill him!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scent of blood invigorates beasts and drives the weak to madness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Gao reached out, placed his hand on the traitor’s head, and shoved his corpse to the ground. He stood tall, raised his sword, its tip resting on the floor, blood dripping slowly, one drop at a time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Gao stood upright like a green pine, dressed in a prince’s everyday robes, yet radiating an indescribable nobility. Around him, Imperial Guards held spears level, pointing forward—but for a moment, none dared advance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Gao gripped his sword and walked forward slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ministers and guards before him instinctively retreated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even as they clustered before Jiang Yuan, clad in the imperial dragon robe, they still retreated—unable, for a moment, to tell who was the true sovereign.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sword’s tip rested on the ground, yet the man holding it felt his heart ache.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blade reflected the panicked eyes of the man in the bright yellow dragon robe. Jiang Gao stepped forward, his mind blanking, memories flooding up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother, brother, wu wu wu wu…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Five-year-old Jiang Yuan sat on a tree, looking down at the ground, wailing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the time, the Empress’s health had deteriorated badly. Jiang Wanxiang’s demeanor had not yet grown grand and imposing; instead, he was frantic, terrified, and filled with helpless grief at losing the love of his life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had already seized the realm, his aura fierce and mighty—far beyond Chen’s emperor, who only prayed to gods and Buddhas. Unifying the world seemed no distant dream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet this emperor, born of a concubine, who had climbed to the throne, could not defy death or halt the slow fading of his beloved’s life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such heartrending pain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Wanxiang had neither the strength nor time to attend to a child’s delicate emotions. Jiang Yuan, sulking, went off alone to fly a kite. The kite became tangled in a tree. Proud by nature, he refused help, climbed up to retrieve it himself—and got trapped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Others came to rescue him, but he refused to let go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He only cried: “Brother!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the time, Jiang Gao was already studying, a diligent, earnest boy, working hard to ease his parents’ worries. Yet when he heard of his brother’s plight, he came running.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t be afraid. This tree isn’t very tall.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yuan, just jump down.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young child looked down. The tree might not have been tall—but to a child, a tree ten times his height was a monstrous thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He refused to come down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only that—he cried louder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether from fear or childish nature, he didn’t understand why adults suddenly ignored him—he only wanted to make a big enough fuss to draw his parents’ attention back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young crown prince extended his arm, smiling gently: “Don’t worry, Yuan. Just jump. I’ll catch you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After many such reassurances, Jiang Yuan finally seemed to decide—he jumped. The young crown prince had prepared himself, but alas, the five-year-old child could not control his body well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After many such pleas, Jiang Yuan finally seemed to make up his mind, leaping down at once—but the young crown prince had been ready all along; it was just that this five-year-old child could not yet control his body well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young crown prince panicked, stumbled forward, and caught his brother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But his martial skill was still poor; he lost his footing, and both fell together. The child saw his brother’s head strike the ground, a wound opening, blood flowing—he panicked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young crown prince held his little brother on the ground, smiling softly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young crown prince lay there, holding his little brother, smiling gently:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stroked his brother’s head: “I’ll always be here for you. No matter what, I’ll protect you. We are truly bound by blood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young crown prince already understood death and his mother’s fate. He whispered:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll protect you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The breeze of youth was gentle, the sunlight warm. But the five-year-old’s clumsy fall, awkward and stumbling—just like now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wind in his youth was gentle, the sunlight warm, but the five-year-old’s movement was poor—he stumbled down in clumsy disgrace, just as he does now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if stepping into empty air—he reeled back. But his martial skill was now excellent enough to instantly stabilize himself, unlike the five-year-old child of old. He stared fixedly at Jiang Gao before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Gao raised his sword. The Imperial Guards stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Gao walked forward as if strolling through a courtyard, raising his blade to parry, forcing Jiang Yuan to retreat step by step. Jiang Yuan’s face darkened. Suddenly, he did something—behind him, swords rang out, two shadowy figures lunged forth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Gao moved as if strolling through a courtyard, advancing step by step, raising his sword to block, forcing Jiang Yuan to retreat step by step; Jiang Yuan’s expression darkened, then suddenly did something—behind him, swords shrieked, and two afterimages shot forth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A man Jiang Yuan had bribed and recruited over the years, rushing to kill Jiang Gao. Jiang Gao remained unmoved. Even knowing he could not match a master, he was Jiang Wanxiang’s son—he would die, but never beg or flee!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The master revealed his divine form: a leopard, leaping toward Jiang Gao. But at that critical moment, a deep, thunderous boom erupted in the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, the body of the master Jiang Yuan had hired froze—blood sprayed onto the ground, the stench overwhelming. Jiang Gao’s expression did not change.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, the body of the Grand Master Jiang Yuan had bribed to protect him froze abruptly, blood spraying onto the ground, the stench of blood hitting the face—yet Jiang Gao’s expression showed not the slightest change.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A series of sharp sounds rang out. Amid the palace’s hanging plaques, a copper coin appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An arrow had precisely killed the master, embedding the coin into the imperial plaque that proclaimed “Swallowing Ten Thousand Miles”—now stained with blood and stench.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, He Ruo Qinhu’s expression changed drastically. In an instant, he shifted position, still standing before Jiang Yuan, his condensed inner Qi forming a horse spear, slashing downward and shattering a streak of light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, He Ruo Qinhu’s expression changed sharply; in an instant, he shifted form and shadow, stepping before Jiang Yuan, his condensed inner qi coalescing into a horse spear, which he slashed downward with force, shattering a streak of light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice was piercing, like a tiger’s roar, like thunder’s growl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The arrow shattered and fell to the ground; the rushing wind surged violently. He Ruo Qinhu gripped his horse spear, staring far off, pupils constricted:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The arrow shattered and fell to the ground; in an instant, a vast, roaring wind surged forth—He Ruo Qinhu gripped his horse spear, gazing far off, his pupils narrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Gao heard the roar of the White Tiger. The palace was filled with Imperial Guards loyal to the Emperor and the imperial clan. The events here had already drawn them into formation—but behind those ranks, a sound came.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The vermilion palace gates, studded with bronze nails, slowly opened from outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind the crack between the two palace doors stood a cold, indifferent eye. As the gates slowly swung open, black armor, a white cloak and battle robe fluttered in the wind. A handsome, divine general stood there, gripping a heavy battle spear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind the crack between the two palace gates stood a cold, indifferent eye; as the gates slowly opened, a black armor, a white cloak and battle robe fluttered in the wind, and a handsome divine general stood there, holding a heavy battle spear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuwen Lie!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuwen Lie!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ahead lies the Imperial Guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To either side of Yuwen Lie stood a young man in his early thirties and a man over forty; behind them stood thousands of imperial soldiers clad in ink-black armor, employing a tactical formation combining heavy shields, blades, and crossbowmen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today’s world boasts twenty-seven Divine Generals, and the Unmoving Bodhisattva, Yuwen Tianxian, leads them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuwen Lie gripped his divine weapon and advanced slowly; the Imperial Guard instinctively leveled their weapons at him, yet Yuwen Lie showed no fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The world is on the verge of collapse, yet someone must rise with heroic spirit. Standing in the palace, Yuwen Lie suddenly asked: “Your Highness, do you understand?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Gao whispered: “A gentleman does not compete, yet…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not competing means refusing to chase one’s own desires—but now, it is different.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Gao looked at Jiang Yuan and said softly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When the world is in peril, clinging to the ideal of non-competition is merely weakness and evasion. One must have aspirations, yet also duties one must fulfill. To ignore those duties for the sake of personal desires is unacceptable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It is not just weakness—it is childish caprice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It should not be this way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Gao lowered his gaze, a wistful smile crossing his face:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Before speaking of oneself, one must first bear the responsibilities one owes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To entrust the world to the irresponsible is to betray the world itself—to betray and murder the people of this great Ying state.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He exhaled, and answered in the voice of a gentleman:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The world is vast—when duty calls, one must not yield.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who else but me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuwen Lie’s eyes held a trace of admiration: “Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Gao said: “Too bad—it is too late.” He looked ahead at Jiang Yuan and He Ruo Qinhu, as the surrounding armies gathered, their martial aura surging. Here, now, Yuwen Lie said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Highness, will you fight alongside me today?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Gao’s chest swelled with unbounded valor: “If we fail, I shall die with you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuwen Lie smiled faintly and raised his spear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cold, proud Divine General gripped his battle spear; ripples of energy surged through the air, coalescing into a roaring white tiger. Yuwen Lie spun his spear, gazing calmly ahead at the Imperial Guard—or rather, his gaze pierced through them, settling solely on He Ruo Qinhu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuwen Lie spoke coldly: “He Ruo Qinhu, even now, can you not see that blood ties still matter?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Ruo Qinhu sighed blankly: “How can I see clearly?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuwen Lie advanced with spear in hand. He Ruo Qinhu turned to Jiang Yuan: “Your Majesty, I shall go out to meet Yuwen Lie.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Yuan cried: “If you leave, what shall I do?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Ruo Qinhu roared: “Your Majesty, you are the ruler of our great Ying state, bearing the Son of Heaven’s fortune. There are still so many guards here—do you lack the courage to fight?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How then will you contend with the Qin Emperor for the world?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If I do not go, what will happen when Yuwen Lie comes?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He seized his horse spear and charged forward. Wind surged across heaven and earth. Beneath the Star-Picking Tower, the bell Jiang Wanxiang had made for his wife still hung there—ever since her death, he had watched it tremble, as if still hearing her laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now even Jiang Wanxiang had passed away years ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Star-Picking Tower was sealed; no one climbed it to pluck stars or admire the moon again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two divine weapons clashed violently; shockwaves erupted skyward, stirring wind and clouds. The bell beneath the tower shook violently. At the same moment, Jiang Gao lunged forward; the guards before him struck out—but he cleaved them all apart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The civil and military officials wanted to help, but froze in terror, unsure what to do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Yuan’s voice cracked: “Whoever kills Jiang Gao shall be made Marquis of Ten Thousand Households! Ten Thousand Households! No—Duke of the Pillar! Duke of the Pillar!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Great rewards breed brave men—but at that moment, Wei Yi suddenly spoke:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Have you all forgotten the old affair of Qin Yulong?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, the generals’ fervor cooled. The civil ministers, seeing Wei Yi’s reaction, understood—and fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Gao slew each of the close ministers one by one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Court coups on marble floors are swift. The participants and troops are few, the battlefield not as bloody as a siege. Often, it ends within an hour, with only hundreds involved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet it happens because one side, entrenched in power, believes they hold the tide, believe they control all—never imagining that the one they think easily deceived hides within his heart the courage to shatter every rule.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One sword stroke after another, the blade stained with blood, robes stained with blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On either side lay the corpses of court flatterers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The civil and military ministers watched Jiang Wanxiang’s two sons duel here—no one dared intervene. Only old Minister Wei, having unearthed some scrolls from nowhere, rolled them like bamboo slips and hurled them violently at Jiang Yuan—scrolls detailing Jiang Yuan’s tyrannical slaughter of the people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To hell with your virtue!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Yuan, caught off guard, staggered back—then cried out as his thigh was pierced by Jiang Gao’s blade. The sword, after its bloody battle, had a chipped edge—but its tip remained razor-sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blade pinned Jiang Yuan’s leg to the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Gao gripped the hilt with both hands, eyes bloodshot, and pushed downward with all his strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Yuan finally feared: “Brother, brother, what are you doing?! Don’t you remember?! Mother is dead, Father is dead—there’s only you and me left in this world!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are you doing? Are you going to kill me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is where Father and Mother used to host our family banquets—will you kill me here, in the place where they once sat?!” Jiang Yuan wept uncontrollably. Jiang Gao gripped the sword, eyes red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Childhood memories churned in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he was five or six, he saw his younger brother—tiny, soft, his palm weak. When Jiang Gao reached out, the child grasped his finger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through the skin, he could almost feel the child’s heartbeat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their heartbeats seemed to sync.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was when Mother died—tears streaming—that she told him: “You are the elder brother. You must protect your brother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that time, Mother was unwell but still spirited. Father tended to her; the younger brother climbed a tree and jumped down—both boys tumbled together, rolling in leaves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Yuan choked out: “You’re my brother, brother—I know I’m wrong, I truly know it. Can’t you forgive me? I truly…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at that moment, the battle outside had reached its end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Ruo Qinhu had no will to fight. The old general was torn between familial love and guilt toward the late Emperor—he had already chosen death. Yuwen Lie’s heavy spear hovered inches from He Ruo Qinhu’s forehead—then stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only a burst of energy erupted, nearly tearing the palace floor behind him apart. The shockwaves rolled slowly outward, dissipating. He Ruo Qinhu stared blankly: “Why?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuwen Lie withdrew his spear and said calmly: “On the battlefield, you once saved my life.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now, we are even.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lifted his spear and strode away, back straight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He entered the great hall and saw Jiang Yuan pinned to the ground. He dropped his spear, picked up a bow, walked to Jiang Gao’s side, drew the arrow, and aimed it directly at Jiang Yuan—clearly intending to kill him on the spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Jiang Gao shoved the bow aside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The arrow veered off. Yuwen Lie did not release it—he would not execute Jiang Yuan before all these eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Yuan wept uncontrollably: “Brother… Big brother…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Gao exhaled, eyes red, and pulled the sword from Jiang Yuan’s leg. He whispered: “Brother will always forgive you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Yuan’s face showed a flicker of relief, a sigh of release.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuwen Lie’s expression remained cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Wei Yi’s heart lurched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Gao rose, gripping the sword in both hands, and said softly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But the world is not only Jiang Gao. I forgive you—what good is that? Jiang Gao forgives you; the elder brother will never hate his younger brother. But Jiang Gao cannot forgive you on behalf of the world!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who in this world does not have brothers, parents?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He raised his longsword high—as he had once reached out as a boy toward a tree, sunlight warm, wind gentle. The young prince laughed, embracing his brother—even if he stumbled, he held tight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was his brother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His true brother, bound by blood, skin pale, breath sweet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So lovely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The closest kin in this world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young prince embraced his brother—and drove the sword through flesh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Yuan let out a short, piercing scream. Yuwen Lie’s eyes flashed with surprise. Wei Yi snapped his head up, stunned, moved. Empress He Ruo gasped—and fainted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Gao’s sword pierced Emperor Jiang Yuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes burned red. He leaned on the sword, watching Jiang Yuan struggle, refuse to die, blood pooling—just as childhood memories and dreams shattered. The blood on the ground was the glory of a chaotic age.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Gao leaned on the sword with both hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only two sentences had been spoken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The resolve of a gentleman. The majesty of a sovereign.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inner sage, outer king.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such majesty cannot be cultivated—it is forged only through violent inner transformation, carved by blade and axe, tempered through endless trials.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Gao leaned on the sword, back turned to all, hiding his tears. His spine remained straight. He spoke: “Gentlemen.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All looked at him. Jiang Gao, facing away, fell silent a moment, then whispered:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Ying state…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I entrust it to you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Yi and Yuwen Lie bowed in assent. They withdrew. Jiang Cai, who had organized and planned the entry of Yuwen Lie’s troops into the city, finished all tasks and, per Jiang Gao’s orders, went to settle the people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When she hurried to the palace, she froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The palace still reeked of blood. On the throne of Ying, Jiang Gao sat in a white robe, hands resting on the armrests, sword leaning beside him, his body and blade spattered with blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Gao bowed his head. Jiang Cai, worried, stepped forward:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gao’er…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Gao lifted his head, looked at Jiang Cai, and suddenly said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sister Cai, you’re an undercover agent of Grand Tutor Jiang Su.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Cai froze, instinctively clenching her hand—but Jiang Gao paid no attention to it. Jiang Cai saw the young man lift his head in the sunset’s glow, his face bearing a quiet, tear-stained expression, distant and detached. He spoke softly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sister Cai.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have no younger brother anymore.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Gao said this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like Jiang Yuan, who once bitterly muttered, “I don’t want an older brother anymore.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one who rejected his brother died beneath his sibling’s sword; the one who longed for kinship became a lonely sovereign. The world’s fate is absurd and laughable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, the man seated there was the monarch, drenched in blood, having slain the corrupt minister and the foolish emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Cai suddenly felt that both Jiang Gao and Jiang Yuan had died that day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What remained alive\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>was the chaotic age’s Azure Dragon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Emperor of Ying State.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>?? Please vote for monthly tickets, friends~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>?? And votes for the Masterpiece Ranking\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>?? Jiang Gao and Jiang Yuan—the final two characters—have completed their closure and turning point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>?? One soars high as clouds; the other departs far from dreams\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>?? Jiang Yuan said he didn’t want his brother—in Volume Two, Chapter 109: “Contest for the Throne.”\u003C\u002Fp>",3841,"2026-06-20T19:20:36.387Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","b65ceefc6777f961f8e09c715852f58877e08fd21d878614594342379daa3b8a","the-peace-decree-chapter-558","the-peace-decree-chapter-556",593,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-peace-decree-cover.jpg"]