Chapter 264

After discussing with Tukesulu and others, Jiang Mingyu stood alone in the official residence as he heard the distant sighs and complaints of the people, recounting Liu Jiayi's brutal rule. His gaze sharpened as he gazed toward the distant capital, his resolve firm: he would seize this land and rescue the people from suffering.

In stark contrast to the opulent official residence, the streets outside were filled with destitution and wailing. Liu Jiayi hoarded exorbitant taxes and vast stores of grain, yet further oppressed the populace. Jiang Mingyu watched, his chest burning with righteous fury—this war was not just about him, but about the survival of millions. He swore that one day, he would overthrow this rotten regime and bring the people a life of happiness and prosperity.

He stepped out of the residence to find the streets packed with people driven to despair by Fei Hou and Liu Jiayi. Some dragged broken luggage, others clutched crying children, some leaned on broken canes, others bore bloody wounds—all radiating hopelessness and helplessness. Their eyes held no light, only the shadow of death. Their mouths held no laughter, only cries of anguish. Their bodies held no food or clothing, only the agony of hunger and cold.

Jiang Mingyu looked at these pitiful people, his heart tightening with pain.

He saw a little girl blocked by a bully; her clothes torn, exposing her tender body. She trembled and pleaded: "Please let me go—I haven't done anything wrong. I just want to go home to find my father and mother."

The bully sneered: "You little brat, still thinking of going home to your parents? Do you even know where they are? They're already dead. Their corpses lie right on this street. Come with us quietly—we'll give you a quick, painless death."

The girl wept: "Don't lie to me! Don't kill me! I don't want to die—I want to live! I want to see my father and mother!"

The bully growled impatiently: "Enough nonsense. You're just a poor wretch—what good are you alive? You only bring trouble to Da Feng. You're coming with me today."

He reached for his waist knife to drag her away. Jiang Mingyu, enraged, stepped forward, snatched the blade, and severed the bully's head in one stroke. He turned to the girl: "Little sister, don't be afraid. I'm here to save you. Go find a safe place to hide—I'll protect you."

The girl stared at Jiang Mingyu in terror, unable to believe him. She trembled: "Who are you? Why are you saving me? Aren't you afraid of retaliation?"

Jiang Mingyu spoke gently: "I'm Jiang Mingyu. I've come to overthrow Da Feng. I fear no retaliation—I command a mighty army, all fighting for the people's happiness. Don't worry—we'll soon attack the capital, destroy Fei Hou, and give you all a better life."

The girl's eyes flickered with hope. She thanked him: "You're our savior. You're our hero. I bless you—may you succeed soon, and fill this world with justice and peace."

Jiang Mingyu smiled: "Thank you, little sister. Go now—I have duties to fulfill." He handed her the knife. "Keep it. Protect yourself." He turned and walked back toward Liu Jiayi's residence, silently vowing: "Fei Hou, your end has come. I will make you pay in blood for every evil you've done."

Time passed swiftly; night fell. Jiang Mingyu stood alone in the Inspector's courtyard, gazing at the star-strewn sky, thinking of Liu Yifei, whom he had not seen in so long.

Yifei's face rose in Jiang Mingyu's mind like a luminous moon on the horizon—faint, distant, yet hauntingly dear. These days of separation felt endless to him. He often stared at the moon, whispering silently: "Yifei, where are you now? We promised—if we take the capital, we'll hold a grand wedding, and never part again. Does that beautiful future haunt your dreams too?"

At this moment, his longing deepened. He sensed Yifei had already joined Li Goudan's army and was coming to meet him. His heart surged with emotion—he longed only to reunite with his beloved. Then, at last, he would have a true home in this world.

Thinking of this, Jiang Mingyu's lips curved slightly, his eyes softening. He knew his original family had long since vanished in this journey across worlds—his parents, his brothers—never to be seen again. Only Liu Yifei remained as his sole anchor in this life.

A long-forgotten surge of emotion washed over him; he grew distant, his eyes slightly damp. At that moment, Zhang Jiaqi appeared silently before him—he did not notice.

"Big Brother Jiang, what are you thinking about?" Zhang Jiaqi's voice pulled him back to reality.

Jiang Mingyu snapped out of it, forcing a faint smile: "Nothing. Why are you still awake so late?"

Zhang Jiaqi countered: "You're thinking of Yifei, aren't you?" Her tone carried a quiet ache.

Jiang Mingyu sighed, smiling helplessly: "I'm just thinking of family. You and Yifei are both the most important people to me. After so long apart, you must miss her too."

Zhang Jiaqi gave a bitter smile: "Yes, she's my best friend. But as long as you two aren't married, I won't give up. This is my choice."

Jiang Mingyu opened his mouth to speak, but Zhang Jiaqi cut him off: "It's late. Get some rest." She turned and vanished into the night.

Jiang Mingyu let out a long sigh, gazing at the bright moon above, his heart tangled in conflicting emotions. That distant moon was like his own unreachable happiness. Past memories flowed like water—he could only drown in them, surrendering to the cold, beautiful light, and forging his own future.

Yifei was nearly upon him, yet Zhang Jiaqi still lingered in his heart.

No sooner had Zhang Jiaqi left than Tukesulu, also unable to sleep, approached carrying a jug of wine.

"Drink?" He placed the jug and two cups on a stone table not far from Jiang Mingyu.

Jiang Mingyu didn't refuse. He sat directly across from Tukesulu. "Alright. Let's drink."

Already distracted, Jiang Mingyu now craved the drink—to soothe his soul.

Tukesulu filled both cups, clinked his against Jiang Mingyu's, and downed his in one gulp.

Seeing Jiang Mingyu empty his cup, Tukesulu asked with concern: "I saw my little sister just leave you—she looked upset. What happened?"

Jiang Mingyu smiled bitterly but didn't hide it—he told Tukesulu everything exactly as it had unfolded.

Tukesulu refilled Jiang Mingyu's cup. "Big Brother, didn't I tell you? My little sister has been in love with you for ages. Now the goddess has set her sights on you—what about you, the Xiang King? Do you have feelings too?"

Jiang Mingyu drank again, glanced at the moon, his voice heavy with resignation: "I already promised Yifei—I'll have only her in this life. This matter… ah…" His words dissolved into a sigh.

Tukesulu shrugged: "Big Brother, I really wonder if you're even from this world. Here, three wives and four concubines? That's normal. At your rank, marrying ten or eight wouldn't even raise an eyebrow."

"Liu's girl truly loves you. But think—my little sister has followed you through north and south, through sword and spear, never once complaining. Have you repaid Liu's girl? Have you repaid her?"

Tukesulu shook his head and sighed. He knew Jiang Mingyu was stubborn—he wouldn't change his mind easily.

"Big Brother, this path only brings pain to you and my little sister. Don't you feel there's some unspoken fate between you two?"

Jiang Mingyu fell silent. He couldn't deny it—he and Zhang Jiaqi did share something special. From their first meeting, there had been an inexplicable pull.

They had faced countless life-and-death trials together and shared endless moments of joy. Their unspoken understanding and trust were unlike anything he had with anyone else.

He had wavered. He had wondered—if he could let go of Yifei and be with Jiaqi, would that be another kind of happiness?

But every time he thought of Yifei—of all she had given him, of her tear-filled eyes—he could not make that choice.

He loved Yifei. He had promised her—he would protect her forever. He could not betray her. He could not fail her.

He could only bury his feelings for Jiaqi deep in his heart, as the most beautiful memory of his life.

He lifted his head, meeting Tukesulu's gaze, his eyes resolute.

"I know you mean well, but I can't do this. I can't hurt Yifei. I can't hurt Jiaqi. I can only choose to leave her—to let her forget me, and find her true happiness."

Tukesulu shook his head helplessly. He knew Jiang Mingyu was stubborn—he would never abandon his principles.

"Big Brother, this path only brings regret to you and my little sister. Don't you feel the sorrow of what you've missed?"