(From a man’s perspective) It was clear that the two were half-brothers, yet the disparity in their treatment and life circumstances was so vast. Already narrow-minded and prone to jealousy, and under the influence of his mother, this man harbored a deep-seated aversion and rejection toward his half-brother. How could his hatred and resentment toward Tang Qi’s father be anything but intense?
After all, he was a man with a mother of considerable status who doted on him. Even though he had now become a penniless vagrant, he still possessed some valuable items. Tang Qi’s parents, at the time, had no reason to be wary of a seemingly disheveled, ordinary-looking drifter. And so, in the end, all three perished together.
Gu Wei and Gu Yu set off for Cloudsky City, the domain of Cloudsky Fort, while engaging in aimless discussions. At the same time, several other groups were also on their way to Cloudsky City.
Among them were Jin Yu and Yan Ruizhe, who had agreed to disguise themselves as ordinary people and go out for fun, coincidentally choosing the currently bustling Cloudsky City; Huangfu Yichen, Ying Qiyun, and Yin Jiu, who were trying to escape the hectic preparations for an upcoming grand ceremony; and Fu Yuming, who admired Tang Qi’s business acumen and intended to discuss potential ventures with him. Cloudsky City could truly be described as a gathering of heroes, a place where the winds of change converged.
In addition, another important figure was also on her way to Cloudsky City—Rong Nianxin, the daughter of the man who had killed Tang Qi’s parents, the so-called half-brother of Tang Qi’s father. However, the current Rong Nianxin was no longer the same person she once had been.
Before Rong Nianxin’s father was driven out of the Rong family by his wife’s parents—his in-laws—and before he encountered Tang Qi’s parents and ultimately orchestrated their mutual demise, he had wandered alone for over a decade. Surviving until that fateful encounter could be considered a feat, though his life had been far from comfortable.
Truth be told, he had no paternal love to speak of and felt no deep affection for his daughter, who did not share his surname. He had no idea about the life his daughter, Rong Nianxin, led within the Rong family.
Ultimately, his obsession with whether his daughter bore his surname stemmed not from love but from his own wounded pride—his humiliation as a live-in son-in-law, lacking status and dignity in the Rong household.
After he was cast out, Rong Nianxin’s life took a sharp downturn.
Originally, Rong Nianxin’s mother—the eldest daughter of the Rong family, spoiled and indulged since childhood—had sought a live-in husband, viewing him as little more than a kept man who would continue to pamper her and allow her to act as she pleased. She had chosen Rong Nianxin’s father for his good looks and silver tongue.
Of course, the young mistress knew he didn’t truly love her but was drawn to her status, background, and wealth. But it didn’t matter—she only needed a handsome, charming husband who could flatter her. She expected nothing else from him.
However, when he turned abusive and began carousing outside, the young mistress could no longer tolerate it. How dare a man she paid for dare to mistreat her?
So when her parents expelled him, she watched coldly, indifferent. After all, she had status, wealth, and power. If one pretty face was gone, she could always find another. But Rong Nianxin, the daughter she had with her ex-husband, no longer held her favor. Or rather, not as much as before.
Originally, as the child of her marriage, Rong Nianxin’s gender hadn’t mattered—the young mistress, herself a woman who had married a live-in husband, lived freely and happily regardless. But now, with her anger toward the man who had been cast out, her resentment extended to his daughter.
Later, when the young mistress remarried—taking another live-in husband and bearing another daughter—Rong Nianxin’s standing within the family plummeted further. The servants, adept at currying favor with the powerful and trampling the weak, made sure of that.
Fortunately, the Rong family didn’t mind supporting one extra girl. Though Rong Nianxin’s life was no longer as privileged, it was still far better than that of commoners outside—peaceful and comfortable. But when someone is determined to self-destruct, no one can stop them.
Rong Nianxin fell for a smooth-talking scoundrel, a pretty-faced wastrel who swindled her out of her savings, spending it all on courtesans, gambling, and lavish living.
When she discovered the truth, she confronted him, demanding to know why he had betrayed her after all their promises. She even sought out his “ladies,” asking how they could shamelessly flirt with another woman’s man.
In her heart, she kept making excuses for him—claiming he had been deceived, manipulated, or worse.
But the scoundrel felt no gratitude. With Rong Nianxin drained dry and unable to fund his lifestyle any longer, he had long planned to discard her and find another foolish woman to leech off.
Humiliated and mocked by the courtesans, Rong Nianxin returned to the Rong estate in despair and threw herself into the lake. Though she was rescued, her breath had already ceased. When her eyes opened again, she was no longer the same Rong Nianxin.
Instead, she was now a world-class assassin from the modern era—cold-blooded, proud, and hardened by betrayal.
What followed was a brutal reckoning with the scoundrel. Having died once due to betrayal, this new Rong Nianxin, a top-tier killer with a fierce pride, would never tolerate such deceit.
Afterward, she began flaunting her brilliance within the Rong family, shedding her former meekness. Everyone assumed her transformation was due to her traumatic experience—after all, those who have faced death often change.
Using her modern knowledge and skills, along with a carefully crafted facade of sweetness and charm, she quickly won back her mother’s favor and secured her place in the Rong household.
Once settled, intrigued by the beauty and wonders of the Xuantian Continent, Rong Nianxin decided to travel. Disguised as a man and accompanied by guards, she set out to explore. Hearing of the excitement in nearby Cloudsky City, how could she resist joining the spectacle?
After all, where there’s chaos, there’s opportunity.
Meanwhile, Tang Qi, busy coordinating arrangements in Cloudsky City, had no idea that his modestly scaled event—intended to boost reputation, attract visitors, and stimulate commerce—was about to draw an unexpected crowd of… influential figures.
As the days passed and the event approached, Cloudsky City buzzed with activity. Tang Qi moved discreetly through the streets, ensuring nothing disrupted the fort’s reputation.
Fortunately, despite the crowds, his thorough preparations prevented major incidents. As for the powerful individuals—this was precisely why he had chosen Cloudsky City as the venue. The city, certified by the imperial family and protected by both Cloudsky Fort and royal decree, enforced strict rules against wanton violence. Those who broke them would face blacklisting and relentless pursuit by the authorities.
Thus, no one dared cause trouble recklessly. As Tang Qi had anticipated, the situation remained under control, easing his mind.
Had the event been held at Cloudsky Fort, unruly troublemakers might have caused significant damage—both to the fort’s property and its reputation. A poorly executed event would have dealt a heavy blow to Tang Qi and the fort’s standing.
As he walked, Tang Qi observed the city’s condition while mentally planning Cloudsky Fort’s next steps. Lost in thought, he turned a corner and collided with a man.
Tang Qi resembled his mother and, having just reached adulthood, was relatively tall and slender. The other man, however, was muscular, broad-shouldered, and rugged, with a thick beard that gave him a roguish air.
Yet Tang Qi felt no dislike. In the brief collision, he caught a whiff of the man’s clean scent, faintly tinged with herbs—an oddly pleasant combination.
The man—Gu Wei—apologized with a carefree grin, “My apologies, I wasn’t paying attention.”
Tang Qi, not one to hold grudges, smiled warmly. “No harm done. But with Cloudsky City so crowded, do be more careful in the future.” As the fort’s lord and event organizer, even minor issues concerned him.
After all, small problems, left unchecked, could snowball into disasters. A single ant hole could breach a mighty dike.
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