Rising Phoenix - Chapter 1

Chapter 1: Chapter 1

Translator: Aristophaneso  Editor: Chrissy

Prologue I: In My Desires I Am Nonetheless Emperor ¹

“How will you kill me?” Within the dim gentle of a chilly, secluded palace, a lady requested, her palms on the desk and her smiling face like a rose within the wind earlier than his face. “Poisoned wine? A white silk rope? Carrying a dust bag? [1] Knife?”

“What sort of demise would you like?” The person poured himself a cup of wine with regular arms, the clear rice wine that stuffed the tilted cup reflecting her misty eyes… These years, she had lived a lifetime of thriller, and even to demise refused to let him see by way of her.

“Essentially the most pleasant means, I imply for you.” She smiled and rolled up her cuffs gently, displaying him her palms. “Enable this concubine to attend you one final time.”

He smiled again, his skinny lips curling up in mockery as he handed over the cup of wine.

The wine was inexperienced like jade, and her wrist white like snow. A line of deep emerald inexperienced fell from her slender fingers and right into a white jade cup just like the tinkling of jade jewels. It was quiet, and the colourful silk mattress curtain hung across the mattress, protecting all earthly sounds.

This included the bloodbath of the rebels within the palace.

Her folks, the rebels.

The blood and smoke have been blocked; their ears might hear nothing besides their respiration within the silence… Calm, peaceable, and virtually in unison—out and in. Beneath the sunshine incense smoke from the gold censer, their exhalations met and mingled, lingering and separating collectively.

She held the wine cup and turned it rigorously. “Not afraid I’ve poisoned it?”

“This Hidden Palace has been empty for a few years.” He answered calmly, “This wine has been sealed in a hid compartment, and nobody has ever touched it.”

“As for you…” He took a sip, leaving his sentence hanging. His gaze was like a blade, and his smile was the chilly gentle shining on the sting.

She smiled with no phrase whereas watching her finger as if trying right into a distant place. When she had been tricked into the Hidden Palace, she had been checked by the perfect poison grasp, the perfect hidden weapon grasp, and the perfect murderer. Even the best piece of hair that didn’t belong to her was destroyed, to not point out any poisons.

Actually at this level, nobody might poison him and reverse her ugly circumstances.

Nonetheless…

She smiled as she barely bent her eyebrows in a surprisingly playful and cute curve.

“Do you’re feeling the strain in your chest?” Her naturally misty eyes stared at him, and he couldn’t see the true expression behind these eyes. “Do you’re feeling the stings in your Dantian? Do you’re feeling your Qi flowing backward, dashing again to your Qihai ² ?”

He stared at her, his face progressively greening.

“However what about earlier than?”

“It’s true that nobody has come to this closely guarded Hidden Palace because it was constructed.” She clasped her arms behind her again and walked just a few steps earlier than turning again and smiling.

He trembled barely.

That yr when the hidden palace was being deliberate, from design to the final stone, he had by no means let her take part in any of it. It was solely simply after the palace had been constructed that he had taken her as soon as to go searching.

He nonetheless remembered the day the pear flowers fell like gentle snow in entrance of the Ji Ying Palace—her silver costume brushing rapidly over the moonlit flooring, and her spinning motion just like the opening of a sublime flower. She had leaned in opposition to a pillar within the hall, trying again and smiling, lit by the dappled moonlight and the shadow of flowers. His coronary heart was defeated by that smile.

At the moment, the love was robust.

But it surely was throughout that lovely evening—with the sunshine scent of pear flowers hung within the air—after they had regarded into one another’s eyes as her slender determine briefly touched the hid compartment. Did she depart behind a poison for years later?

That lovely smile, these pretty eyes, and the heat after they held arms beneath the pear bushes have been simply the empty flowers of a dream?

Whereas he had been immersed within the happiness of sharing a secret, she had already silently ready for a catastrophe years sooner or later.

She had been his enemy from the start.

He didn’t know the place the ache was and couldn’t even say if he was in ache; it was solely as if one thing had shattered like a damaged crystal. He appeared to listen to the smooth shatter, however he didn’t know what had damaged.

A gathering like an extended dream, each of us passing by way of.

He slowly raised his cuff to cowl his lips, abandoning a scarlet mark. He wiped it calmly and quietly, and when he regarded up, she had already rotated. Her straight again was slender and delicate, and as he stared at that silhouette, he felt that if he didn’t ask now, he would possibly by no means get the prospect.

“You… did you ever love me?” Just some phrases, however so onerous to ask….

She paused, and after a short second, she rotated and smiled sweetly.

She mentioned clearly, “By no means.”

Trying from a window within the Hidden Palace, a lovely begonia in full bloom withered and fell.

“Alright.” After an extended pause, he smiled, and even on his lovely face, the smile was no higher than that withered and fallen flower.

He turned away from her, the brightness in his eyes fading. He clapped his arms as soon as.

The clear and calm sound hung within the air.

From the gap got here an ideal roar that might problem mountains and overturn the seas, rising up like an ideal wave beneath a hurricane—it was like a wall taking pictures up in entrance of the palace, subduing the noise of battles and demise impulsively.

He smiled.

From each crossroad and each nook of the palace, black shadows got here out—they have been his elite military. They might use their tempered metal to kill anybody who tried to insurgent in opposition to imperial would possibly, and slaughter each insurgent who set foot on the jade stairs.

Deep love and kindness have been nothing; life and demise have been equal, they usually had chosen totally different sides. His twenty years of affection might not be used to water this toxic poppy flower—letting her run wild till at the moment was sufficient.

“Aih, I nonetheless misplaced.” She stretched her neck to look outdoors, her tone relaxed. “What a disgrace.”

“Sure, it’s a disgrace.” He coughed calmly as he spat out some blood. “Look, although you’ve deliberate for therefore a few years, and although you’ve taken my life, your treasured Da Cheng Empire will nonetheless fall at the moment.”

“It doesn’t matter.” She smiled. “To die along with you is my honor.”

He checked out her; the gentleness and sweetness in her smile have been the identical because the day they met. He regarded away because the jade cup in his hand shattered.

He ignored the bleeding and spoke to the air in an detached tone, “Come.”

Shadows of males appeared from each nook of the palace.

She glanced at them and rotated calmly. Her lengthy lashes lowered, protecting her darkish fluctuating gaze.

These secrets and techniques that couldn’t be mentioned can be buried along with her physique…

His chilly voice echoed behind her, each phrase reducing gold and breaking jade.

“Take her beneath, lock her within the jail. Three days later…”

He closed his eyes.

“Ling Chi.” ** [2]

T/N

[1] *背土袋– carrying a dust bag. You power a prisoner to hold a dust bag and if they can not assist it (I’m guessing) it crushes and buries them.

[2] **凌迟 referred to as demise by a thousand cuts, however data point out it will probably go upwards of 3000 (3357).

…

Prologue II

The chief nodded silently and turned away. Xiao Liu tried to talk, however his voice acupuncture had been sealed.

The slender man ruffled Xiao Liu’s hair and smiled gently. “Xiao Liu, you’re the final inheritor of the Tian Zhan Household ³ . You must dwell properly.”

He turned and met the chief’s eyes for a second earlier than trying away.

His eyes pierced the darkness, peering into the rain as if on the lookout for a face within the evening. A glance of ache stuffed his eyes for a second as he bid a silent farewell, and with out one other look, he rushed ahead on the enemy.

As he took his steps, he gently shook his wrist.

“Shua!”

A jet-black rope, virtually invisible within the evening, flew from his sleeve, tangling with the legs of the primary horse. The slender man rolled ahead earlier than going to the aspect. As he landed, he pulled the rope taut, and the horse flipped with a depressing neigh. The horseman using it misplaced his grip on his bow and arrow and fell to the bottom, collapsing with the horse. A second horseman rode up, and simply as his horse was rearing its legs, the slender man dashed ahead, unsheathing a hidden blade. With a flash of chilly, metallic gentle, he hacked off the top of the primary horseman earlier than spinning and reducing by way of the rearing horse’s legs. Because the crippled horse fell, the slender man stilled for a second, and simply earlier than the horse crashed into the bottom, he jumped ahead and landed comfortably on high of the horse. With a fast stab, he pierced the center of the second horseman and pulled his blade free.

Because the horse hit the bottom, the third horseman neared and slashed together with his longsword. Cang Yan jumped backward, his skinny blade parrying the longsword in midair. The 2 weapons clashed, and amidst the sound of steel in opposition to steel, there was an virtually silent click on.

The horseman felt his blade push by way of with barely any resistance, however earlier than he might even react with happiness, the purpose of the blade lunged towards him like a venomous snake and pierced his neck.

Three elite troopers killed have been in a handful of seconds.

This was the primary knowledgeable of Blood Pagoda!

Xiao Liu ran ahead, the chief’s hand nonetheless gripping him tightly. He turned his head and stared at Cang Yan’s silhouette.

Sure, everybody on the squad took orders from their chief, and all of them sacrificed their lives to cost forth and fill within the breach. Nonetheless, Ah Yan was not like them.

Solely Xiao Liu knew that Cang Yan was the chief’s buddy!

And extra importantly, he was a father. His solely son was the final descendant of that household… and that youngster… that unusual youngster. And not using a father, how might he survive?

This substitution of Cang Yan for Xiao Liu price two lives and sealed the destiny of the Cang Household.

How might the chief bear to make this determination?

Xiao Liu stopped his struggles, his raveled hair drooped with rain and lined his eyes. The chief checked out him and patted him with sympathy, unsealing his acupoint.

“I’m apprehensive that there will probably be enemies ready in entrance of us,” the chief whispered. “If that occurs, I’ll draw them away, and you need to keep in mind to convey…”

“Go!”

Earlier than he might end, the younger man reached out, grabbed the package deal the chief was hugging, and threw it ahead.

The tiny ball flew by way of the air, and one might virtually hear a feeble cry coming from contained in the wrapping. The chief bolted ahead and rushed to catch, and it was solely after he caught the package deal that he breathed once more.

When he turned his head, the younger man’s skinny physique had already rushed within the midst of the battle.

Ah Yan turned his eyes away from the killing and checked out Xiao Liu; it was not possible to inform whether or not his look was full of happiness or disappointment. The younger man chuckled and mentioned quietly, “The kids of Tian Zhan at all times die with their brothers.”

The torrential rain was like an elegy from the heavens, marking the ultimate stand of the final loyal males of the dying dynasty—the top of males who selected to smile to their graves.

The chief hugged the package deal shut, however his consideration was within the distance, on these two figures preventing again to again. His eyes glimmered for a second, however then he bit his lips and turned away.

If he might, he would have chosen to die a thousand deaths for his brothers, however he couldn’t.

This tiny factor in his arms was virtually weightless, however the responsibility to maintain it secure was heavy as a mountain. Earlier than he fulfilled his oath, he couldn’t put it down.

The sounds of battle disappeared into the rain and evening, and the chief dashed ahead sooner than lightning. Behind the hole between the peaks of the mountain appeared a small group of bushes.

Happiness stuffed the person’s eyes. His vacation spot was simply previous that group of bushes.

However his eyes abruptly froze as he rotated. “Who’s there!”

The darkish woods have been silent, and the sound of leaves tossing within the wind was just like the clapping of evil spirits. His highly effective shout sank into the silence.

The chief frowned and targeted his true power. He directed his voice to the cottage hidden behind the bushes, “The Emperor’s inheritor ask to see Valley Grasp and requests Valley Grasp to satisfy the settlement handed down from technology to technology!”

He referred to as out 3 times, however no sound returned from the woods, and no gentle appeared within the cottage.

The chief’s coronary heart sunk, and he knew one thing had occurred. He took three sluggish steps again, took his bearings, and lined his again with an outdated tree that had a good vantage level.

The place had the perfect view of the world, and the tree might defend his again. If there have been enemies within the woods, they wouldn’t be capable of encompass him.

Selecting probably the most advantageous place in harmful conditions was a lesson all members of Blood Pagoda realized.

The person took each precaution, and earlier than he leaned in opposition to the outdated tree, he had already examined each a part of it and located nothing suspicious. It will not hurt him.

However simply as his again touched the tree, he roared and dashed away.

When he landed, his leg was already lined in blood.

Males got here out of the woods, and several other outdated males in gray robes appeared silently and surrounded him.

The chief’s face paled, and his eyes pierced ahead as he stared on the roots of the tree. There was nothing particular, simply moss and common roots, however then the chief’s eyes flashed as if he had seen a demon crawling out of the earth.

There was no demon, only a lone hand pushing its means out of the dust.

A small, pale hand like a toddler’s.

The woods have been darkish and blurred within the gray storm, and the whole lot misplaced focus because the pale hand pushed out of the roots of the outdated tree. The chief’s coronary heart raced, and his face barely stored its ordinary calm.

The hand pushed ahead and slowly revealed an arm because the moss and roots have been pushed apart. After some time, a raven-haired determine climbed up from underneath tree.

It raised its head, and the chief stepped again in shock.

The boy will need to have been six or seven, trying pale underneath the darkish, furred coat that had camouflaged him in opposition to the tree trunk. The coat was ugly, however the youngster wore it like an imperial gown. Though he stood within the rain like everybody else, muddied and soaked, his easy posture might solely be described a technique—jade.

A pure and good gentle like probably the most lovely jade.

One might solely think about what such a lovely youngster would change into after reaching maturity, and whether or not he would subdue everybody he met.

The chief hugged the package deal as he warily examined the kid. He was not distracted from the truth that it was this innocent boy that had managed to quietly and patiently cover by that tree within the pouring rain, efficiently ambushing him, a veteran knowledgeable.

A well-trained Blood Pagoda knowledgeable would at all times retreat to probably the most advantageous place, and whilst cautious as he had been, he would by no means have anticipated a toddler to cover in a tiny house among the many roots of the tree.

Had he been unfortunate, or had this youngster predicted his motion?

If this had been intentional, then this youngster was already terrifying—he was conversant in Blood Pagoda’s coaching and understood the place to cover, displaying bravery and cautious endurance, along with decisive ruthlessness.

If the chief had not reacted quick sufficient, his knife would have already reduce into an artery.

The child cocked his head and examined the chief curiously. His eyes swept previous the package deal, and he indifferently spoke, “Some persons are so silly. What’s the purpose of sending so many individuals to chase after you all to die like canine? As an alternative of chasing for a thousand miles, wouldn’t it’s higher to attend patiently by the tree for the hare? What do you suppose?”

The chief licked his lips, and his eyes flicked to the aspect. The boy spoke once more, “There’s no level in trying, the particular person you’re ready for is already gone.”

The chief’s gaze shook. The Valley Grasp had made an settlement with the founding emperor and would by no means depart earlier than fulfilling his cut price. Nonetheless, even after a lot noise, the stone home behind the woods was silent.

He pushed down his despair and stored a cautious gaze on the kid as he regarded round on the others. Alternatively, the kid simply chuckled, his smile incomparably good, however his eyes chilly and biting.

“You don’t imagine me? It was truly fairly straightforward. What do you suppose would occur if, earlier than you could possibly attain these woods, somebody had already come together with a Blood Pagoda Seal, carrying a treasure similar to yours, asking for the Valley Grasp’s assist? Inform me, what would the noble Valley Grasp do?”

The chief’s thoughts shook, and he glared on the youngster. “How might you already know….”

This secret had been guarded by the Imperial Household for a whole lot of years. How might this youngster know a lot?

“How do you suppose?” A skinny smile danced on the kid’s lips, mocking and chilly. “All secrets and techniques on this world will probably be revealed in the end so long as folks have lips.”

The chief clenched his fists… Blood Pagoda had a traitor!

The Dynasty had fallen, and all of the princes and dukes had surrendered. The loyal ministers have been slaughtered, and now beneath the boundless heaven, solely Blood Pagoda remained. Technology upon technology residing underneath the auspices of the Imperial Household, free from each wrestle, given just one responsibility—to guard the bloodline of the emperor. On this thousand miles chase, what number of males had died? What number of males had stood their floor to defend their backs till solely the ultimate few remained? Cang Yan, Lao Shi, San Hu, Xiao Liu … they have been all elites of the squad with positions to match; every man’s loyalty was with no query. Each single one was a brother he would belief his life with, a brother he would die for.

Then… who betrayed them? Who might it’s?

He couldn’t doubt. He didn’t dare to doubt. These ideas might solely destroy and produce darkness. If somebody had betrayed them, then was all their loyalty and sacrifice pretend? How might he settle for that?

He exhaled a deep breath. Now was not the time to linger on these issues; in spite of everything, there was a extra urgent matter at hand as he wanted to satisfy his oath.

He stepped backward, and the grey-robed elders stepped ahead, sustaining the identical distance between them.

His coronary heart sank once more. There was little question that all the outdated males have been masters of martial arts with wonderful judgment and energy. Together with his exhaustion and accidents, he wasn’t a match for even one in all them. He might see no means out of their encirclement.

The sound of the pouring rain light away, and all that was left was heavy respiration. One of many grey-robed males raised his hand and pointed on the package deal the chief was defending.

The chief narrowed his eyes and replied calmly, “You need this? Purchase it together with your life.”

The kid smiled and waved his hand.

With a muffled thud, an object was thrown from the woods and landed closely within the mud. For a second, it was onerous to inform what the factor was, however the chief stared at it, and his nails bit into his flesh as his arms tightened.

It was San Hu.

If it wasn’t for the relative shortness of the determine and the hardly recognizable Blood Pagoda Seal at his waist, even San Hu’s intelligent little daughter may not be capable of acknowledge her father’s corpse.

The chief remained silent and wordless, and the woods remained nonetheless. Nobody moved, and the air was heavy and tense.

However then somebody opened their mouth and spoke nonchalantly.

“Such an ideal dynasty, however there may be solely your Blood Pagoda left, solely you prepared to combat together with your life.” The kid’s phrases have been mild with even a touch of sympathy. “I’ve to say that you just all are actually… foolishly loyal.”

“Do you see his destiny?” The kid pointed to the corpse, calm regardless of his youth. His indifference was sufficient to freeze a person’s spirit. “In the event you maintain down this path, your destiny will probably be no totally different.”

The chief lifted his eyes and regarded on the youngster and smiled.

“Da Cheng Dynasty has our group of fools who will combat to the final…” He laughed. “When your dynasty falls, who will combat for you?”

“What a pity, you received’t see that day.” The kid smiled faintly, his tone altering barely. “However don’t you need your youngsters to see it at some point?”

The chief’s expression modified.

“Your loved ones has issue producing heirs each technology.” The kid checked out him, his face detached. “However together with your technology, miraculously, there was you and your brother, however then your luck ended. Your brother married early however solely has one boy, and even he’s…” He chuckled and stopped.

The person’s face paled with anger, and his regular arms shook barely. He stared on the youngster. and his eyes let a few of his shock seep by way of.

All the things associated to Blood Pagoda was probably the most well-kept secret. For somebody in his place of management, and particularly for his household’s non-public issues, there must be solely a handful of people that even had entry to that data. Nonetheless, this youngster knew each element just like the again of his hand.

The kid ignored his shock and continued calmly, “I do know you aren’t afraid of demise, and I do know that riches and wealth can’t purchase the loyalty of the chief of Blood Pagoda. Nonetheless, I imagine that the thirty seventh technology head whose household has guarded Xue Fu Tu technology after technology is unwilling to let his household line finish by his arms.”

The easy sentence struck the chief like an enormous hammer. He fell again a step, his face distraught.

There was no hero that was afraid of demise, however there have been many nice males trapped by duty.

If his household line ended with him at the moment, he wouldn’t be capable of face his ancestors within the afterlife.

The kid’s lips curled right into a glad smile. “I received’t damage you, and I received’t even ask you to do something. Simply put down the wrapping and stroll away. Your loved ones’s youngster can sleep safely.”

He lifted his palm to make the oath, and even his younger, excessive pitched voice rang out stable and true. “I swear by the holy Ning Bloodline; let whoever breaks the oath don’t have any inheritor!”

Everybody gathered within the woods paused for a second in shock. The mighty Ning Household that had overthrown Da Cheng was truly associated to the Imperial Household by way of marriage, and plenty of hundred years in the past, had been the royal household of its personal sovereign kingdom, vassalized and annexed by Da Cheng way back. He had sworn an oath on the bloodline of numerous generations, a household line that even dared to title itself “Holy”.

The chief’s expression didn’t change, however his eyes took on a considerate look. He was clearly moved by the oath.

“Deliver it right here…” the kid mentioned after he had examined the person’s expression and posture. He reached ahead, palm up, and waited.

Within the darkness of the dim woods, that delicate wrist and jade palm stretched out. The kid’s phrases had seeped into the chief’s very being like a fragile wisp of smoke, curling round his anxious coronary heart.

“You might be all that’s left of Blood Pagoda… Nobody underneath heaven will know. The folks right here is not going to communicate, and nobody will know what you have got carried out…” A quiet voice virtually cooed with temptation. “In the event you put that down, nobody will ever trouble your loved ones once more…”

The person was silent and considerate. His eyes have been unhappy and alone, and he regarded up into the evening sky as if attempting to see into the darkness and discover acquainted faces.

Everybody held their breath and waited, ready for him to present or to advance.

They waited for the top of the wonderful dynasty, they usually waited for the final spark to die.

The silence was heavy with the burden of a thousand souls, mired thickly, chaining down the physique and thought.

The second stretched on.

Lastly, the person regarded again on the boy and smiled.

The smile was a skinny morning mist hanging within the oppressive gloom.

The kid’s eyes narrowed and flashed with coldness.

The person’s hand was already raised, his palm crimson together with his True Power.

The kid’s pupils shrank, however he didn’t transfer.

The person didn’t transfer to launch the package deal and as an alternative lashed downward at his chest, instantly into the silk wrapping.

On the identical time, he laughed out with ache and grief, his voice shaking leaves from the bushes round them.

“The dominion has fallen; what’s the destiny of the household? Because it has come to this, let it finish cleanly!”

The kid’s eyebrow twitched as he flashed ahead. As he moved, all the encompassing figures pounced ahead like tigers. The darkish gray shadows closed in like a tightened internet, surrounding the person from all instructions, shifting to cease his strike.

However irrespective of how briskly they have been, they couldn’t attain him earlier than his palm flashed down and hit the silk.

Earlier than the cry might sound out in full, it was already reduce off.

The weak cry reached feebly into the evening, and like a spark, it fell and died.

The grey-robed males’s faces paled.

The kid’s eyes turned a bitter chilly as he stared on the chief. Even in his youth, he was already a younger dragon stretching within the huge sky, peering down coldly at a leaping tiger.

However as his eyes swept over the silent and immobile silk wrapping, some doubt nonetheless remained.

However the man tossed the package deal away and laughed angrily. “You have got died with the dynasty, what does it matter the place you might be buried!”

The silk wrapping flew ahead.

Everybody turned their eyes to observe its flight, and the Flying Dragon Dancing Phoenix embroidery drew a golden arc within the air, falling towards the cliff behind the woods.

The kid’s eyebrows have been raised as he hurriedly commanded, “Cease it!”

Instantly, a number of the grey-robed males jumped ahead, however the man abruptly rushed ahead previous the elders and, with a chilly gentle flashing in his hand, struck downward on the youngster’s cranium.

All the lads gasped in concern. They rotated and rushed towards the kid, ignoring the embroidered silk wrapping. Simply because the chief neared the kid, he laughed out once more. “Blood Pagoda and the dynasty dwell and die collectively. One doesn’t outlive the opposite!”

As he cried out, he reached down and gripped San Hu’s mangled corpse. He then rotated and rushed towards the cliff much more rapidly than the wrapping.

Nobody anticipated him to have such a burst of pace after the ten thousand miles chase, and at that second, none of them might catch him. As they watched him flip away from attacking their grasp, all of them sighed a breath of aid.

However impulsively, a surprising change occurred!

“Hong!”

The gray gloom underneath the heavens abruptly burst out in vibrant gentle, and a darkish gold flower blossomed within the air. A large blast of warmth stopped the rain for a second and stuffed its house with a downpour of blood and flesh.

Within the black and crimson blast, the kid collapsed silently.

The cries and shouts of the grey-robed males have been abruptly reduce off as their hearts froze in terror.

For an extended whereas, crimson flesh fell quietly from the place it had splattered on the bushes, gathering within the mud in small piles—they have been the final stays of a Blood Pagoda Guard whose physique had been carelessly tossed out of the woods not so way back.

The person had pretended to seize the corpse and run, however for the time being when his enemies let down their guard, he had triggered the explosive hidden within the physique.

Robes flapped within the wind as all the lads rushed ahead towards their grasp.

An extended, sorrowful laughter stuffed the air alongside the cloud of gunpowder.

“With our life devoted to demise, whilst a corpse, we are able to take a calamity’s life. Third brother, you possibly can relaxation now!”

The black-clothed man was soaked in blood. As he flew towards the cliff, he turned towards the piles scattered within the mud, and his eyes have been full of ache and aid.

The entire high brass of Blood Pagoda had a Thunder Pellet bomb planted of their physique to commerce even their final dignity for the lives of their enemies. Blood Pagoda Elites all had extraordinary survival and killing methods, and whether or not they chased or have been chased, all of them understood that one in all their brothers would possibly discover an opportunity to take out an vital determine whereas utilizing their corpse to shake enemy morale. And so all of them had waited—whilst every of them was surrounded and reduce down one after the other, that they had all hidden patiently.

In demise, what concern was there left for the physique?

The person rotated, and the ache he felt was ignited as a strong roar escape his lips.

The roar stuffed the darkish woods just like the cry of an ideal dragon, shaking a glistening dewdrop from a leaf that fell like a hero’s final tear.

The lads surrounding the kid have been shocked by the roar, and all of them turned their heads in astonishment.

All they noticed was a black and bloodied gown fall and disappear past the sting of the darkish cliff.

Everybody was shocked, and their faces have been ghastly pale within the gloomy gentle of the moon. When the black material lastly disappeared past the cliff, they couldn’t assist however sigh in aid.

However even of their aid, they couldn’t cover the change of their eyes as if that they had misplaced one thing.

That they had witnessed the greatness, the magnanimity, and now… the autumn.

600 years of prosperity over ten thousand miles of splendid rivers and majestic mountain. Ten thousand states coming from afar to pay homage, the Emperor’s mighty arm stopping streams and shifting mountains… Their would possibly unsurpassed underneath heaven, ruling the 4 seas… all of the satisfaction and glory of the good Da Cheng Dynasty…

Right this moment…

It fell, and the age turned.

==========

***

Within the Sixteenth 12 months of He Guang,

After 600 years of rule, the affluent Da Cheng Dynasty was overthrown.

On the steps throughout the damaged tiles and ruins of the golden and jade palaces have been the corpses of the Imperial Household.

And so started the primary yr of the Tian Sheng Dynasty.

…

Chapter 1

The Twelfth 12 months of Chang Xi, Winter.

Tian Sheng Dynasty’s Capital, Dijing. [1]

On an early winter morning, a skinny gossamer mist floated gently between the sky and the earth as its coolness fell upon the Xi Hua Valley, onto the clear and good dark-red glazed tiles of the Qiu Household Mansion. The mist raised a faint layer of white-pink over the frost flowers on the glaze, softening the splendor and the Aristocracy of the constructing and revealing a gentler and cuter look, like a frost-covered persimmon.

A frozen persimmon…

Feng Zhiwei swallowed her saliva and rubbed her grumbling abdomen.

A ripe, late autumn scarlet persimmon frosted by the primary snows of winter and calmly flavored with the 9 Beautiful Honeys. It was provided on a fragile Jing Feng Snow Porcelain Cup, which was vibrant crimson, good, and fabricated from treasured jade and masterwork glass. With a mild chunk and pursing of the lips, the refreshing coolness unfold on the tongue and left the mouth with a refined aftertaste of sweetness and taste because it slid easily down the throat and into the center of her chest the place it rested. It emanated a soothing balm of ice, calming the insufferable parched warmth in her physique.

How unlucky… that enjoyment was already a lifetime in the past…

Feng Zhiwei was mesmerized however finally tore her gaze away and let loose a faint sigh, specializing in the sluggish strokes of right here broom. All of the snow on the highway was swept into the synthetic lake.

The chilly wooden nonetheless had some frost, however although regular folks would have prevented the freeze nonetheless they might, Feng Zhiwei solely felt a comforting chill.

At the moment, the tinkle of jade noticed the morning air, and introduced with it a heavy perfume. Feng Zhiwei continued her work, urgent on her broom gently. The frost fell to the bottom and rolled barely earlier than coming to a cease.

“Oh, isn’t this our Younger Girl Feng?” The female voice was tinged with a smile of scorn and freezing winter air. “What are you doing right here so early within the morning?”

“As you see,” Feng Zhiwei regarded again as she gathered the snow, “sweeping snow.” [2]

“That is servant’s work, how might they let our noble and esteemed niece do that?” The younger woman was round twenty years of age, and her face was made up elegantly, with the corners of her eyes turned up barely and her cheeks dusted with silver-red rouge. This was the favored “Fei Ye make-up” within the Capital this winter. “In case your Uncle knew about this, I can’t even think about how pained he can be.”

Feng Zhiwei smiled and lowered her eyes.

“Uncle attends to a myriad of affairs day by day, how might I hassle him with insignificant issues? It’s sufficient that Fifth-Aunt cares for me.”

“That’s true. Your Uncle is each Commander-in-Chief of the 5 Armies and the Commander of the Flying Shadow Guard. He’s one of many high navy officers of Tiang Sheng Dynasty. He has no time to handle the yard affairs. You understand what is acceptable, and Fifth Aunt will care for you.”

Fifth Aunt was the fifth spouse of Feng Zhiwei’s maternal uncle, and had fallen into disfavor way back. Fifth Aunt checked out Feng Zhiwei’s amiable and downturned face with satisfaction… This lady was at all times good-tempered and wouldn’t react when others pushed her. It was onerous to think about that the shameless Qiu Household Nice Aunt might give start to such a mild daughter.

“Aunt, why are you out right here alone?” Feng Zhiwei requested, stepping to the aspect and standing humbly, holding the broom slantwise in a respectful stance. She even omitted the phrase “fifth”.

Fifth Aunt was delighted. She tapped her lips with a slender scarlet-painted nail and her smile confirmed in her lovely eyes. With a smile, she mentioned, “There are some vital folks coming over, and I would have to accompany… En, you don’t have to ask.”

Feng Zhiwei stored her face downturned and expressionless… Tian Sheng’s Dynasty had very open customs, and the royalty and ministers have been much more dissolute. Of their day by day interactions, sharing beauties collectively and gifting concubines was commonplace.

The Qiu Household Mansion had many concubines. Amongst them, Fifth Aunt was younger and was not favored by Feng Zhiwei’s uncle, and so she was lonely. Right this moment, she had dressed up and headed to the entrance yard alone possible as a result of she had heard that one noble or one other had come over and so she deliberate to have a “lovely encounter” with him and perhaps regain some standing and alter her destiny.

Feng Zhiwei simply didn’t know who the poor satan was.

“How can there be nobody to serve you, Aunt?” Feng Zhiwei put down her broom and reached out to take Fifth Aunt’s arm. “Enable me.”

“No! Your arms are soiled!” Fifth Aunt yelled as she slapped Feng Zhiwei’s arms away, her eyes trying down disdainfully on the latter’s snow-covered fingers. She turned her eyes from Zhiwei’s fingers to the unhealthy redness between her brows and took a step away as if she was close to a significantly unwell particular person.

Feng Zhiwei smiled humbly and withdrew her arms into her sleeves.

“You might be already fifteen, you shouldn’t be at all times staying within the yard.” Fifth Aunt stood by a pile of snow and glanced at Feng Zhiwei. “Another day, I’ll speak to the madam to match you with a person. You understand him, Entrance Yard Supervisor Liu’s son. He’s not dangerous.”

Not dangerous in any respect. Even after 5 full years in a non-public faculty, he nonetheless couldn’t memorize the Three Character Traditional.

Feng Zhiwei stored her smile which grew to become gentler and calmer. On her barely pale face, a pair of lovely misty eyes shone brightly, adorning her face with a dancing gentle, progressively giving start to appeal and magnificence.

Fifth Aunt forged one other look at her and was moved. This lady, if it wasn’t for her unhealthy shade, then she can be an actual magnificence. No surprise folks mentioned she regarded like that particular person…

However what was a lovely look? With such an notorious start, what was this sickly, short-lived lady? An empty magnificence, destined to wither and fall within the mud.

Fifth Aunt smiled coldly and felt that she had already wasted an excessive amount of time speaking with this lady. Every other day, she wouldn’t even be within the temper to say something to her. If she wasn’t completely satisfied as a result of Prince Chu was coming and had requested her to satisfy him within the yard secretly, she would have by no means cared about this lady’s marriage.

She lifted her chin and snorted coldly. Prince Chu was referred to as probably the most good-looking and romantic man in Tian Sheng Dynasty. When Fifth Aunt thought of how she would not face these lonely days within the Qiu Household Mansion, even the tip of her eyebrows and the corners of her eyes have been full of happiness. She lifted her foot and began to stroll.

“Chi…”

Her foot abruptly slipped on the ice, and he or she slipped backward screaming. She flailed and grabbed on the air, and her fingers reached for the broomstick caught within the snow.

Feng Zhiwei moved rapidly and took her broom.

Fifth Aunt solely caught air as she fell closely in opposition to the slippery ice on the bottom and slid over to the lake. The winter water’s coldness might pierce by way of the bone.

Fifth Aunt yelled out in a panic whereas she slid uncontrollably. “Assist! Assist!”

Feng Zhiwei watched as the lady slid on the bottom and unhurriedly returned her arms into her sleeves, saying gently. “No, my arms are soiled.”

“Putong!”

The sound of an individual falling into water was ultimately so gentle and refined. Feng Zhiwei smiled and walked over to the shore along with her broom in hand. Surprisingly, Fifth Aunt knew some strikes and was nonetheless struggling within the water, however the lake was so chilly that her face was already blue. Her clean hair bun had already fallen aside, and wisps of her hair have been caught to her face like small snakes swimming round. She was too chilly to make a sound, or perhaps she knew that Feng Zhiwei was not going to save lots of her, so she struggled again to the shore.

…

[1] 帝京– Loosely translated, King (/emperor) Capital

[2] “如您所见,”凤知微回头,将扫帚拢拢,”扫雪.” There’s some good taste right here that’s tough to translate easily, so right here’s a common clarification. Feng Zhiwei makes use of 您 which is the formal second particular person type of deal with. This means a proper respect, not less than on the floor. Nonetheless, she doesn’t cease what she is doing and doesn’t flip round absolutely to face the speaker, and he or she replies tersely and with out addressing the opposite with their appellation (title/place and so forth.)