In the present state of Great Qin, if there remains one person who dares to utterly disregard Emperor Hao, it must be King Zhi, the man of extremes.
Emperor Hao gazed at the blackened fishing rod in the old man’s hand and asked, “You were not successful?”
With a casual gesture, King Zhi flung the rod into the stream and watched it float away. He replied calmly, “Mistimed.”
A faint trace of surprise crossed Emperor Hao’s face. “The plan had been meticulously set. How could you still have failed? Could that girl have truly grown powerful enough to defy you?”
“Not precisely defying me,” replied Zhi Wang indifferently, “it is merely surprising that the emperor of the demon dynasty would personally intercede on her behalf.”
The expression on Emperor Hao turned grave. “If she lives on, it may pose a real problem. We have already spent greatly in orchestrating this incident, and doing it anew would be even harder. We’ll have to consider other methods.”
King Zhi hesitated before saying no more and only finally said, “Tell me once you think it over.”
The dismissal was overt, yet Emperor Hao delayed in departing. He stood for a moment, then suddenly spoke, asking, “Using Qian Ye as bait, do you think that might lure her again?”
“Since the idea has come to your mind already, the question is not why not pursue?” King Zhi replied not quite to answer.
“I had just thought, being Teacher’s foster son and such a decorated hero to the Empire, is this really something that should fall upon Qian Ye’s lot?”
“One is for sentiment and compassion, the other for national necessity. In the heart of the decision lies intent, neither correct nor incorrect,” answered King Zhi calmly.
“Enlightened indeed!”
“Then take your leave now. I seek rest; my quarters await, night-fishing in mind.”
“Your Grace must not be disturbed thusly.”
With these words, Emperor Hao exited the place swiftly. At a measured pace King Zhi took only a fish-empty basket toward a little retreat at distance.
Inside the Qinyuan’s Chiao house court stood Empress Li, leaning against a desk engrossed in literature as her attention drew in. Interrupting that focus came a maid who entered quietly bearing news, that “His Majesty the Emperor issues his summons and requests you present tonight at the Hall of Resplendence to feast in companionship.”
Glancing, Empress Li murmured, “I thought the Emperor traveled outside city walls?”
“Just now had he return.”
Putting a delicate hand upon tome’s closure, she answered only a single word— “There I shall attend.”
After the sun had dipped and dusk had crept in subtly, the Hall was softly lit with lamps illuminating intermittently. Within lay deep shadows hiding the furthermost expanses of majesty held silent inside.
At its heart laid banquet table ready. The servers stood by in quiet servitude as candle-light flickered suddenly with a mystic aura—thus materializing Emperor Hao had arrived in tranquil silence upon his seated domain. The familiar serving-women barely even flinched; each bent deeply before kneeling, practiced with ritual.
As his gaze touched upon the opposite empty throne at dinner table center, he mused aloud, “Has she not approached yet?”
Before the echoes wavered completely away, the delicate sound of chimes upon jeweled ornaments announced her imminent approach. Led by a small contingent of maids in solemn grace strode Li Empress slowly into presence, bowed respectfully toward seated sovereign upon entry of chamber.
Taking opposite seat, she offered with poised grace, “No fault of my lateness, only of Majesty’s haste.”
A fleeting laughter touched his countenance at this remark. “Habit’s force still takes grip. I find I often come before due.”
With empress seated both began dining. Casual words of weather’s poetry and empire’s affairs peppered through conversation gradually under moonrise until dining ceased; dainty sweets and fragrant leaf-water arrived upon trays in service.
Emperor had raised to lips a porcelain cup only to pause—his mind elsewhere elsewhere elsewhere…
Perceiving change in his silence:
“My lord—care troubles heart?”
His gaze met her’s.
“A little disturbance at edges perhaps… some whispers. And yes, many dilemmas weighing this soul. Such moments do overwhelm.” His fingers clung the cup.
“Distinguished Emperor, these are affairs as common as stars above; not befitting sorrow,” She offered soothing tones with gentle counsel; “Let things be addressed one by one as they arrive in time.”
“Such is truth—Yet… My heart…“ Words hesitated as realization struck his breath; “Forgive—once again… I have misspoke without heed.”
She raised a dainty hand and covered his lips as gesture. “My lord bears sovereignty of Heaven’s Mandate now; none could question your title. Former words from past now breach royal decorum. Every single glance of all depends on your posture, every gesture followed—how might I allow one person to bring disarray in protocol? Not even for you.”
A silence stretched before an exhale.
She pursued gently: “But… what troubles Emperor’s soul thus?”
“The matter regarding the foster son of the Master.”
Empress lips played soft smile. “Has he indeed wrought another disaster?”
She continued gently—“Even if it were a fault, proper punishment follows proper course. Regardless of what bond ties Teacher, the relation between them holds no connection to your Majesty. Even if affection should stretch, boundaries still be kept.”
“Oddly no disaster marks my concern this evening… rather his achievements in past campaigns.”
He leaned forward.
“But it will hardly be straightforward to handle such youth now… Know you not, the youth, Qianye, has already crossed threshold into Divine Champion—defeating in challenge White Clan’s White Yuan Tzu. He has made such famed clan retreat from contestation. It was, indeed… most impressive.”
She gasped a little in awe. “A Divine One already? So swiftly? Strange indeed—I recall his prior strength to be but modestly gifted…”
“A lineage possibly from Monro blood, known well across the domains for sleeping latent powers waiting in slumber until awakening.”
Her brow relaxed.
“I remember that now! The moment’s strangeness in perceiving his aura unclear made more sense this way… Even foresight failed upon occasion!”
“What causes concern if he yet bears none?” The empress shifted inquiry again.
He emitted a dark chuckle.
“Only the complications involving the other world, let’s forget it.”
Knowing better than pushing further with imperial moods well known, she shifted her attention as service personnel came for finalities – retiring for nightly rest began.
Darkness swallowed vast chamber as slumbrous breathing echoed between royal figures within.
From without, maids stood statue like in eternal vigil beyond closed gate.
In Duskland, amidst Deithus castle, reconstruction had begun. Only one week had passed since its last devastation and already scaffolding cradled its ruined remnants like mother holds child in mourning arms—new cut stones rolled in endless succession along road from nearby quarry.
Nyarla stirred from iron coffin filled with crimson pool, healed within the sacred vessel along with two attending Dukes. They both now stood at her door once healed; although she retained the form of a Viscount, she exuded such power as only monarchs dared challenge within memory.
Indeed they understood had such a blow met them that day from Zenith King’s hand instead of Nyarla intercepting, none would live to greet the next dusk; what had initially appeared a simple assault had left them in terror upon recollection. From thereon, though still of lesser rank than Viscounts, they understood—no longer were they equal in presence to her.
In atmosphere brimming with dread and suspicion across estate walls of the Castle Deithuus, an unnoticeable floating vessel approached unseen beneath clouded twilight. As docking began surrounding defenses were roused as vampire elite emerged encircling the foreign craft. Firearms all locked pointed menace to central hatch.
It parted open revealing feminine shape both seductive and exquisite. With her came unmistakable aura of noble dominance forcing guards backwards instinctively even though few yielded. Commanding tone from aristocratic voice cut through tension:
“Under directive recently received in parliament, identification must be provided at all approaches to Deithaus castle unless immediate action for capture be taken. Declare your identity now or face consequence.”
Amusement curled at woman’s red lips unbothered. Producing from fold of silk the object confirming authority:
“I carry parliament directive with formal token granted direct order.” Chidingly she offered; “Would you examine this insignia perhaps?”
A shift came over Count’s face as his sight fell upon it—the sigil held by aristocratic envoy held great clout; indeed reserved only by parliament’s leadership, issued case per case basis rather than general pass usage. Recognizing the gravity of the insignia, immediate shift from confrontation occurred. The count stepped aside and bowed.
“My deepest apology, milord… please—proceed.”
At the top floor of the secondary residence, Nyarla sat with her ancient text unattended to by eyes, though pages held quiet witness.
As knock came politely upon wood she spoke:
“There is no need to linger beyond that knock.”
In marched female duke. With elegant motion she closed portal behind and studied figure upon couch. For moments no sounds escaped her throat save inner contemplation.
Nyarla’s eyes did not waver, nor did the book’s page.
“So what exactly brings you all this way?”
With a sigh that bore memories buried deep the female began.
“The first time we saw each other—back then I remember asking: ‘Why despite greater strength and superiority would inheritance of black-wing still fall upon unseeing eyes?’”
The page turned.
“I worked harder. I plotted endlessly. Still you surged. Still you ascended.”
Another turning of page.
“And even when that trouble found you, escape followed—hiding among humans for refuge.”
“I rejoiced that day at seeing you finally broken.”
Another moment passed before turn.
“But I remember that it wasn’t enough. Even defeated then I could never truly conquer you. That was my frustration. That was my sorrow.”
And another.
“But when you awakened again and returned—now I know… however far I strain, it was clear fate denied even proximity between our ranks.”
“Please do not compare such relations anymore.”
A pause.
“You have no sister and I am neither your kin nor that same person again.”
Nyarla’s voice never wavered; a breeze upon silent water.
“But still… you remember—don’t you?”
Pause again.
“Nyarrla.”
Softly the woman said.
A smile formed. Bittersweet laughter touched her lips at recollection.
“In the Maelstrom I found chance—after which my rise sealed in Viscount title. Once I thought such rank enough… enough perhaps, finally, that I might wear as sister again your words to accept…”
She raised her eyes now. Her voice took on quiet mockery.
“You must yet ascend Duke status. You are nowhere close.”
The smile remained unchanged.
“And yet even if still beneath that level, do not mistake my perception—For I know of Qianye’s existence.”
She said suddenly leaning forward.
“At that abyss place I encountered him… He grew beyond imagining beyond comprehension. Power and perfect harmony in presence. And he was… beautiful. Just like you always were. It is maddening sometimes watching beauty so endlessly favor one.”
“You see but surface,” said Nyarla quietly.
“No. Not this time.” Her voice hardened. “Not only have I known—I may even out understand much you yourself no longer fathom, for all time’s sake!”
“A question or I ask you leave.”
The quiet tone bore more warning than thunder.
“Do you not wonder… of the path and happenings now of Qianye?”
Silence reigned.
“Whatever bond there had once been before waking, upon arising I severed such.”
A smirk emerged. “Wouldn’t I love… enticing Qianye with all his beauty in my own way?”
Her words lingered like echo between star-lit towers.
Without expression Nyarla answered, “Do as you wish.”
“Well…” She exhaled almost playfully. “Initially I came thinking maybe show where he resides now and perhaps let you look—watch if you wish. You seem indifferent. But then, that opportunity can just become mine alone?”
Then she turned.
“Wait.”
Nyarla closed worn tome upon lap gracefully and stood.
“Wait for me, beneath. We depart in half a lunar phase.”
Lifted brows, triumphant grin briefly lit features before darkness took.
When awareness reawakened it was she left behind at entry hall alone. How Nyarla passed by unseen she could not say. The tongue peeked for a single second before remembering respect and restraint.
Back across realms and empires, high in Qinian skies—long sleek vessel pierced the sky’s canvas leaving swift strokes like brush strokes racing into the unseen distance beyond horizon’s reach with purpose undreamed.
Upon the deck, Qian Ye shared words with young Song. Through crystal porthole they watched the ground slide—villagers till soil with labor, mountains rise in solemn defiance above fertile plains.
“When we reach Peng city safely, with weapons secured—you shall finally establish foothold firmly on Yang’s soil. Admittedly I never expected victory over so many wolves,”
Song remarked smiling with rare sincerity in praise at feat few dare even consider.
“The emergence gate leading forth into other worlds—how is progress faring on that matter?”
He continued—voice thoughtful.
“In truth, unrest lingers this side of heart.”
“That realm remains known solely unto the inner rings of the Evernight Parliament. Fate and divination are not infallible especially not against the holiest of mountains nor those dwelling above. We know that advantage at the starting line will not easily stay ours.”
“But if this new domain stretches infinitely outward as we suspect—we can bet our rivals will be unable to contain it fully either… Thus contest shall arise later still.”
A quiet moment passed as the words settled over both in unformed decision.
A streak of light split horizon.
Another ship pierced cloud in arc—a swift arrival.
Recognition dawned in Song’s face, shifting expressions momentarily.
“Who is it approaching?” Qian Ye’s hand already near blade hidden.
“They carry Zhi Wang’s insignia… Strange, why would emissary arrive in our flight path.”
“Zhi Wang—has any enmity toward me been known before?”
“Avoidance would be wiser under normal circumstances indeed, but you stand no longer in your former shadow.” Replied young advisor, voice laced with weight.
“This may not be just any envoy however, as of late there can remain but few threats upon your life while within boundaries of Empire’s borders—those that remain are those above gods and titans and beyond… those like a Heaven-King and the Upper Divine Generals.”
“Brace and prepare. We are unknown unto their intent,” murmured the noble as both men steeled their hearts and met forward with the approaching ship as storm.
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