On the West Black Plains, Chu Li ordered General Song Yang, who had made great contributions in this Western Regions campaign, to return to Hanchao City with the main army first, while he himself brought five thousand elite Black Guard troops to secretly rush to the Qin King’s Imperial Mausoleum at Dragon Ridge Mountain.

Once, on this very land, he and she had passed each other by. Now, returning once again, he silently told himself that he absolutely could not allow such a thing to happen again. Absolutely not.

Thunderous sounds slowly opened, the massive mountain range seeming to split in half from the middle, pitch black like the ferocious maw of a giant beast.

Chu Li’s eyes narrowed slightly. He spurred his horse forward. Le Song and Xu Quan were greatly alarmed, both blocking his path and saying in low voices: “Your Majesty, beware of treachery.”

Chu Li raised his head, his sword-like eyebrows furrowing slightly like flying sharp blades. Finally, he reached out to push aside those blocking his way, step by step spurring his horse forward.

His entire life was one magnificent gamble. He had won countless times, all because he had the courage and determination to stake everything and burn his boats. Now, he was about to face the most important gamble of his life. He firmly believed he would absolutely not return empty-handed!

In the pitch-black cave, giant bronze fire cauldrons burned on both sides. A black stone platform sat incongruously in the cave’s center, with a chair placed on each side. One was already occupied.

That person wore blue robes with ink-black hair, phoenix eyes and sword-like brows, slender fingers holding a teacup. Hearing his approach, the person looked up with a quiet smile.

Just like so many times in life, they cupped their hands to each other, voices low and calm as they exchanged greetings without ripples.

“Emperor Chu.”

“Prince Xuan.”

“Long time no see.”

Time howled past, transcending life and death. Two men who had struggled against each other for half their lives slowly took their seats, each seeing in the other’s eyes unchanging respect and wariness.

If not for national hatred and family vengeance, if not for loving the same woman, they might have become good friends and mutually respected confidants. But in this world, there was never any existence of “what ifs.” Qin Zhiyan glanced at Chu Li, pointing to the clear tea before them, saying with a light laugh: “It’s not poisoned. Please drink.”

Chu Li’s expression was calm, but he didn’t take the teacup, only saying in a low voice: “Where is Qing Xia? Why did you summon me here?”

Qin Zhiyan raised his eyebrows slightly, saying with interest: “Don’t you want to know why I didn’t die but am staying in this place?”

“That’s your business and has nothing to do with me.”

Qin Zhiyan smiled, saying: “Very well. I sought you today for three matters.”

Chu Li raised his eyebrows slightly, indicating for him to continue.

Qin Zhiyan said: “First, Qin and Chu shall form diplomatic relations, be friends for generations, jointly send troops against the four barbarian states, unify China, and at the appropriate time in the future, Great Qin will be incorporated into Southern Chu’s territory. Second, the Seven Divisions shall henceforth disappear completely. Please stop searching and pursuing them, returning the people of all divisions to peace. Third, I will completely entrust Qing Xia to you. Please take good care of her.”

Chu Li’s brow gradually furrowed. He suddenly stood up, turned to leave, saying in a low voice as he walked: “If I don’t see Qing Xia safely exit the Qin Imperial Mausoleum within one hour, I’ll level Dragon Ridge Mountain.”

“Chu Li!” Qin Zhiyan rose to his full height, saying: “What are you dissatisfied with?”

Chu Li turned back, saying in a low voice: “Unifying China and opposing the four barbarians is my own business. I don’t need others’ help. If Great Qin truly surrenders and submits with sincere hearts, I might consider it, but please forgive me for not being so naive about other matters. Second, if the Qingpeng Seven Divisions no longer commit evil, no longer conspire in rebellion, no longer interfere in various nations’ court politics, no longer influence civilian merchants, I naturally won’t do such thankless tasks. Third, Qing Xia is a person with independent consciousness. If she likes you and is willing to be with you, I naturally have nothing to say. You and I have always been competing. Even if I truly lose to you someday, it can only be that I’m inferior to you. I don’t need your concessions and charity.”

Qin Zhiyan was slightly stunned upon hearing this. After a long time, he suddenly laughed lightly, saying: “Your temperament is indeed seventy percent similar to Qing Xia’s. Fine, as you say – Great Qin submits to Southern Chu and pledges loyalty to you, but the prerequisite is that you must treat Qin descendants well, not establish hierarchies among the people, and not humiliate Great Qin officials. The Qingpeng Seven Divisions will completely vanish from heaven and earth with no further flaws. Even the Great Way Ink Scholar Association and your old adversary the Xi Lin family, we’ll find ways to help you eliminate. As for Qing Xia, she will no longer remember me. I only ask that you conceal this for me and not let her remember there was ever such a person as me.”

Chu Li looked at Qin Zhiyan coldly, brow tightly locked. After a long time, he suddenly said in a low voice: “Are you going to die?”

Qin Zhiyan smiled, saying: “Who in this world doesn’t die? And I’m merely changing methods. The Shangqiu family is helping treat Qing Xia. When she wakes later, you can take her away.”

With that, he cupped his hands to Chu Li, turned and was about to disappear into the cave.

“Qin Zhiyan!”

Chu Li suddenly called loudly. Qin Zhiyan was slightly stunned and stopped walking.

Chu Li looked at this man who was the only one in his entire life he deeply regarded as a threat. Suddenly he felt an unreal sense of vast changes over time. His gaze was sharp yet carried indescribable emotions. Finally opening his mouth, he said in a low voice: “You, take care.”

Qin Zhiyan didn’t turn back. He was leaving behind some very important things – the only things in his life he had ever wanted to selfishly possess. But destiny was hard to defy; heaven couldn’t treat one person too favorably. He nodded lightly, saying softly: “Thank you.”

In elegant blue robes, his long gown flowing like water, his thin figure gradually disappeared into the darkness, never to be seen again.

Flames in the great cauldrons burned fiercely, tongues of fire shooting upward, constantly swirling ferociously. Chu Li in pitch-black battle armor, face calm as water, sat in quiet contemplation.

When Qing Xia awoke, a full day had passed. The Shangqiu clan was the medical division of Qingpeng. Years ago they had entered the Qin Imperial Mausoleum to devote themselves to studying bacteriology, biology, and genetic mutation. Under expert guidance, they had now achieved some success. The great golden roc bird under Penglai Valley had been a product of their initial trial. These people’s research into bacteriology had reached perfection. Mr. Liang watched Qing Xia slowly awaken and smiled slightly: “It’s good that you’re awake.”

Chu Li hurriedly stepped forward. He had entered the imperial mausoleum alone without bringing a single subordinate. Now seeing Qing Xia wake up, though her complexion was somewhat pale, Qing Xia’s gaze was somewhat confused, as if she had suffered a serious illness. Her entire body ached uncontrollably. Her eyes swept over Chu Li, immediately widening. Her lips were pale with a slight tremor, her red, swollen eyes gradually shedding tears. She only reached out her fist to weakly strike Chu Li’s body, frowning and sobbing: “Fool!”

Chu Li looked straight at her without speaking.

Qing Xia continued hitting his shoulder, blow after blow, angrily saying: “Stupid!”

Chu Li’s eyes gradually grew moist. He reached out to grasp Qing Xia’s hands. The woman struggled slightly, tears falling in torrents: “So reckless – how can you be worthy of ruling a nation?”

Only then did Chu Li finally breathe a sigh of relief. He had heard that when Qing Xia woke up she might lose some memories and had been constantly anxious. Though he was very angry about this decision by Qin Zhiyan and others, feeling Qing Xia’s opinion should have been sought, he also knew that perhaps for her, this was the best outcome. Since it was too late, he no longer opposed it. Reaching out to embrace Qing Xia’s thin shoulders, he pressed her head against his heart, saying softly: “I’m fine now. I’m fine now.”

Qing Xia’s face was completely pale. She breathed a long sigh of relief. So much exhaustion suddenly found an outlet. She suddenly felt very, very tired and wanted to rest.

But suddenly, as if remembering something, she asked in a low voice: “What about my two friends?”

Mr. Liang smiled and said: “Don’t worry. Though they were injured, it’s not as serious as yours. They just need time to slowly recover. I’ve already found people to care for them. As soon as they improve, they’ll come find you.”

Qing Xia nodded, smiling: “Thank you, Mr. Liang.”

“Mr. Liang’s great kindness – Chu will never forget it as long as he lives. If there are any assignments in the future, I will certainly comply unto death.”

Mr. Liang smiled faintly: “Your Majesty Emperor Chu needn’t be so formal. Just remember your promises.”

Qing Xia’s gaze swept between Chu Li and Mr. Liang, wisely saying nothing more. The sky outside was already dark. After Chu Li bid farewell to Mr. Liang, he prepared to leave with Qing Xia.

Qing Xia took one last look at the Green Wood Palace. For some reason, her subconscious felt this place was so familiar, but every time she thought deeper, her head would ache faintly. She frowned, just about to turn around when a cold chain suddenly slid down from her wrist with a crisp sound, falling to the ground.

The woman’s footsteps immediately froze.

Everyone’s gazes converged. They saw that pale, thin woman’s eyes go blank as she slowly crouched down, picked up that slightly blackened chain, and remained silent for a long time.

Time quietly passed in the crevices of years, with low winds and distant dust gently swirling in the air.

There is a kind of feeling that won’t lose its color with the passage of time.

There is a kind of longing that won’t lose its depth through fate’s hardships.

There is a kind of memory that won’t abandon its position due to external interference.

The bamboo forest’s wind blew gently, carrying fresh fragrance in the moonlight. Qing Xia held that chain, tears slowly overflowing from her eyes like a surging river, line after line.

“Qing Xia.” Chu Li slowly crouched beside her, gently embracing her thin shoulders. Qing Xia’s tears fell on his arms, gradually forming warm tear stains.

Mr. Liang’s usually calm and detached expression immediately became somewhat moved. Never had anyone been able to remember those sealed past events after golden needles entered the brain. What kind of feeling was this? Exactly what kind of feeling was this?