Atop Cangsheng Tower.
Pingzong sat at the tower’s peak, the entire Pojing City beneath her feet. Her small boots swayed gently under her dress hem as she gazed up at the starry sky, lost in thought.
Xiao Xueya, wearing muscle clothing under his robes without even a cloak, sat sword in arms atop a giant tree beside Cangsheng Tower. He stared expressionlessly into the void amid wind and snow, not even glancing at the tower, as if completely unaware of what was happening inside.
Di Yiwei stood in the plum grove, smoking and frowning, wondering when this would end.
During this period, Tie Ci had never lingered anywhere too long. Especially as the opposition suffered repeated defeats, Tie Ci grew increasingly cautious, fearing they might lose their minds after continuous setbacks and deploy irresistible measures like that final bombardment in Yannan’s mountains.
The opposition had her data—she would be locked onto the moment she appeared. Muscle clothing and increasingly rich combat experience could protect her from drones or long-range laser guns, but if they encountered that kind of light that could destroy everything across hundreds of li in an instant, it would still be useless.
So tonight’s stay at Cangsheng Tower was extremely dangerous.
Pingzong and Xiao Xueya worried every moment, fearing otherworldly light would suddenly bombard Cangsheng Tower.
No one understood why Tie Ci would risk such danger for this.
Di Yiwei puffed on her pipe, sparks from the stem instantly swept away by wind and snow. She wondered if this was a long-widowed resentful woman unable to endure, wanting to die romantically under peony flowers?
Such stamina.
You Weixing crouched on another tree like a squirrel, concentrating on eating nuts. Shells fell with scattered snow into the already nearly half-foot deep accumulated snow.
Xi Yun stood above the arched bridge, watching the silent tall tower ahead, gesturing for military experts to deploy defenses in the plum grove.
Before her on the bridge railing sat wine flask and cups. She poured herself a cup to warm up, but didn’t drink immediately, instead toasting distantly toward the tower.
Jingxu was also drinking, legs crossed under a plum tree. Beside him was a small table with complete food and wine, with a brazier beneath. In this snowy weather, warm wine and hot food—quite enjoyable.
He drank his wine and ate delicacies, occasionally glancing at the dark Cangsheng Tower, thinking this one also enjoyed himself.
Then he recalled when Tie Ci had once tempted him with Murong Yi’s delicacies, but he still hadn’t tasted them.
After this time, he should be able to taste them, or else this old man would tell everyone you were ravished by Da Qian’s Emperor…
Jingxu took a sip of wine, making a satisfied “tsk” sound as he arced it in his mouth, contentedly shaking his head.
On the other side, Buqing lay with his subordinates atop the bamboo house, motionless for so long he’d become a snowman, eyes vigilantly watching the sky.
He didn’t know what was happening in Cangsheng Tower, only knowing tonight His Majesty was discussing important matters with Da Feng’s Emperor. To prevent sudden aerial attacks, considerable guards were stationed above Cangsheng Tower, with armies layered in defense radiating from the tower throughout the city.
As for why discussing important matters required darkness, perhaps to avoid light exposing their position?
…
In another spacetime, within the Alliance Management headquarters building.
Yun Buci stared at the screen before her, where a red dot had remained stationary in some high location for a long time.
That was the red dot representing Tie Ci.
This rarely occurred. Throughout their flight, to avoid sudden bombardment while sleeping, Tie Ci’s group always chose tunnels, cellars, underground passages for rest.
After all, drones couldn’t penetrate ground attacks, while tracking robots had no advantage underground.
Now she actually appeared atop a tower—quite surprising.
Technicians stared at screens awaiting orders from superiors. Currently leading the pursuit of Da Qian’s Emperor was another colonel, this one from the councilor faction. After all, the general faction had changed several commanders yet suffered losses. Now the general faction faced great pressure, forced to drop pursuit of Yun Buci.
This colonel was cautious, reluctant to give orders lightly. Especially now, with basic equipment severely depleted and deadly large weapons not dared to be used casually—everyone feared repeating previous commanders’ mistakes.
They’d also heard the general would personally campaign to avenge his son, but bigshots always loved meetings. Involving restricted weapons required endless discussions, so this commanding colonel dared not order, turning to look at Yun Buci.
After all, she’d been Da Qian Emperor’s teacher for over ten years—the colonel felt she had more decision-making authority.
Commanders had changed several times, each with different styles. Yun Buci remained the same—indifferent to favor or disgrace.
The colonel asked her: “The Da Qian Emperor is staying in that tower—what is she doing? Is she researching battle plans against us?”
Yun Buci rubbed her chin, staring at the screen. Seeming to think of something, she gave a lewd “hehe” laugh.
As she opened her mouth to speak, her third disciple suddenly walked past with a stern face, taking large steps. The abacus on her bottom flew up, hitting Yun Buci’s back.
Yun Buci hissed, turning to glare: “Rebellious disciple!”
“You’ve had good disciples before,” the third disciple said coolly. “You also know what your good disciple is doing. Accumulate some virtue, old thing.”
Yun Buci fell silent.
She knew this female disciple wasn’t just referring to Tie Ci.
So even the money-obsessed woman normally immersed in abacuses and account books didn’t only see copper coins.
The colonel pressed: “Do we need to launch strikes? Could this be a trap?”
Yun Buci turned, smiling: “I don’t know.”
Colonel: “…”
Suddenly commotion arose outside as a large group walked through the glass corridor, still arguing heatedly. Technicians said: “Alright, the bigshots finished their meeting.”
The colonel felt relieved: “Then let them decide!”
The door opened silently. The general entered first, immediately seeing the red dot on screen.
He paused, striding over. After seeing the dot’s location clearly, he shouted: “Why no order for long-range shooting!”
The colonel stammered: “This… we feared a trap…”
Recently, due to endless methods from Da Qian’s side, Alliance warriors who’d suffered greatly had deep-rooted impressions of “ancient cunning.”
They’d galloped across ice rivers, luring muscle warriors in pursuit, but dragged salt bags behind their horses, sprinkling salt all the way to accelerate ice melting. When muscle warriors’ vehicles pursued, they fell into the river.
Knowing vehicles needed fuel power with thick protective covers over fuel tanks, they shot poison arrows at the covers. Poison corroded the covers—the faster vehicles moved, the more oil spilled until complete breakdown.
When they switched to light-powered vehicles, the opposition chose nighttime operations.
Da Qian couldn’t use the most energy-efficient orbital vehicles or electromagnetic vehicles anyway.
They used many quick-moving scouts to harass during vehicle warriors’ rest, not seeking to harm but prevent rest. Even wearing muscle clothing, personal stamina was limited, and wearing the body-burdening muscle combat clothing consumed energy faster.
Throughout pursuit, the opposition used hundreds against one, constantly maneuvering, once exhausting several soldiers to death.
Over the long thousand-li journey, the opposition indeed lost many soldiers, but their own side was also consuming.
Compared to numbers, the Alliance couldn’t match even one-tenth of Da Qian’s. They simply couldn’t afford the losses.
So recently the general’s eyes had been constantly red.
The Alliance could no longer be inhabited—they must relocate to Da Qian quickly. But now under such a strong emperor’s leadership, Da Qian was hostile to all. Rash relocation would make it difficult for them to live well in Da Qian.
Meanwhile Alliance civilians continuously protested, storming Management buildings. Families of dead soldiers demanded investigation of possible irregularities in appointing high officials, timely compensation, publication of soldiers’ causes of death. Ordinary civilians pursued Management for wasting taxpayer money, dereliction of duty, incompetence, corruption, demanding Management immediately find suitable habitats.
No more delays! Cities were destroyed, extreme weather made survival difficult for people and all life. Vitality was about to be cut off, yet Management still fought for power and held meetings!
Some civilians already called for peaceful transition, demanding Management conduct friendly negotiations with Da Qian, requesting acceptance to avoid further casualties and consumption of Alliance’s already limited personnel and resources.
But many others believed no one would accept their homeland being occupied by people surpassing their era—they’d lose security. The opposition would either refuse or demand they permanently lay down weapons, accept governance as second-class citizens. But this point they absolutely couldn’t accept either.
So fight on! With weapons surpassing the opposition by countless eras, there was no reason to lose!
Both sides split into factions, arguing endlessly.
Obviously, Management internally also split into these two factions. The general faction was resolutely pro-war, demanding intimidation and absolute strikes, nuclear weapons usage, believing only by frightening and subduing Da Qian could Alliance civilians safely relocate. Before then, the priority was eliminating Da Qian’s obstinate leader.
The councilor faction suggested civilians were actually easily appeased, recommending gentle treatment of civilians, opposing nuclear weapons use. Destroying Da Qian would destroy the Alliance’s last hope and provoke popular resistance.
But both factions shared one consensus.
The emperor must die.
This stubborn yet powerful emperor, who unfortunately held enormous influence over the people, must die!
The general stared at that red dot with vicious eyes: “Trap or not, one shot will tell!”
Without hesitation, he reached to slap that red button.
The councilor entered a step later, seeing this scene. Wanting to stop him was already too late.
Third Sister looked at Yun Buci, who closed her eyes.
…
Dawn light appeared faintly on the horizon.
Tie Ci climbed up panting, hammering her aching back, thinking age was catching up—she really couldn’t handle young wolves anymore.
She glanced at the wolf’s lower regions, thinking indeed a wolf.
She checked the sky, feeling relieved.
The thing she’d worried about hadn’t happened—fortunate.
Simultaneously feeling guilty—those standing guard outside worked hard tonight.
For her one night’s revelry, so many bigshots and countless soldiers were deployed.
Thinking this way, she seemed like a foolish ruler.
Tie Ci smiled slightly, lazily reaching for clothes.
But grasped nothing.
She was startled.
She clearly remembered throwing clothes beside the couch.
Stunned for a moment, she suddenly turned to look at Murong Yi, who’d been sleeping on the couch.
Suddenly arms encircled her waist. Murong Yi’s gorgeous, clear voice sounded at her waist: “Your Majesty, planning to pull up pants and deny everything?”
He spoke the last words buried against her waist, voice muffled, waves of hot breath moistening her bare skin.
She couldn’t help the tickling sensation and laughed. With that laugh, her whole body went soft.
This bastard.
Indeed unaffected, yet forcibly pretended most of the night, lying like a lazy dog enjoying most of the night.
A low laugh, heaven and earth overturned, her back fell onto messy bedding with a muffled thud.
Murong Yi’s voice, now buried in her shoulder hollow, still muffled: “…it should be my turn now.”
Tie Ci’s hands caressed his smooth back: “Don’t… no time… dangerous…”
“No… I’ve waited for this moment for one thousand four hundred fifty-seven days and seven hours…” Both sweaty, skin slippery against each other, even nasal tones seemed lingering, “…you know what our Da Feng people say about Da Qian…”
“Mm?”
“When enemies meet on a narrow path…” The voice grew deeper, more intimate, meandering down along delicate shoulder lines, finally stopping somewhere unknown, causing subtle gasps and soft laughter, “…fuck first, talk later…”
…
The general’s finger was about to touch the red button.
But at this moment.
Suddenly sharp alarms sounded, warnings instantly echoing throughout the center.
Someone cried: “Capital terminal alert!”
“Under attack! Under attack! Total annihilation, all signals lost!”
“Message from capital…” Keyboards clattered as technicians translated word by word: “Da Qian Academy attacked, all personnel captured, all monitoring points destroyed. This was Yun Buci colluding with the opposition…”
He turned in astonishment.
In the vast center, before countless terminals, countless people turned to look at Yun Buci.
No one would believe the academy command center—with surveillance everywhere, electrified walls, doors locked and connected to computers, plus many warriors remaining—could be wiped out by savages with only iron clubs.
There must have been inside help.
Besides Yun Buci, who mastered all capital situations, had stayed in Da Qian twenty years, and was familiar with Da Qian’s rulers and ministers, who else?
The general’s eyes blazed with fury, also flashing with joy, gnashing teeth: “Indeed it’s you!”
The councilor frowned: “I’ll personally investigate.”
She took out a spatial converter: “I still think starting from the capital, first controlling capital ministers to serve us, then leading people to submit to us, is a good way to avoid warfare…”
“Then please try, Your Excellency.” The general smiled coldly. “Perhaps Da Qian people, moved by your benevolence, will immediately kowtow!”
The councilor smiled charmingly: “That won’t happen, but I imagine they won’t be like those protesting crowds at our gates now.”
Those families of dead soldiers were holding Xilin’s photos demanding accountability from the general.
The general’s face twisted momentarily.
Blue light flashed—the councilor had vanished.
The general stood grinding his teeth for a while before reacting to the screen situation.
He turned but saw the light dot had disappeared from screen.
The general was stunned, then still slammed down that button.
“General!”
Yun Buci shook her head disapprovingly.
Long-range missiles were limited. Even without full Management council approval, they shouldn’t be wasted like this.
The general whirled around, pointing at Yun Buci: “Yun, for suspected leaking classified information and colluding with enemy nations, you’re under arrest!”
A group of armed soldiers rushed forward.
The general took out a blue spatial converter: “Target Da Qian’s northeast Pojing City, bring ‘Naughty Boy’ and ‘Sweet Rain’! Plus all remaining personnel and weapons!”
Everyone stared in shock at the Alliance’s current highest military administrator.
“I,” the general said word by word, “and my entire Alliance, will personally meet Da Qian’s Emperor this time!”
…
Blue light flashed. The councilor appeared at Da Qian Academy with her warriors.
In the command center, the sole remaining technician saw her and fearfully turned: “Councilor! We encountered traitors! Everyone was captured…”
“Wait.” The councilor interrupted. “If everyone was captured, why were you left alone?”
She simultaneously gestured for others to spread out, search, maintain combat formation, and activate her protective shield.
The technician stood up, pale-faced: “I… I was in the bathroom then, sensed something wrong and hid. Only came out after they left…”
The councilor suddenly shouted: “What are you doing!”
She simultaneously lunged forward, moving even faster than muscle warriors.
A flash of movement—long legs high-kicked, delicate slit cheongsam falling to both sides, a split-kick viciously chopping down at the technician.
But still a step too slow.
Blue light flashed through the air. Muscle warriors suddenly froze.
The councilor’s fierce kick was also lightly caught by a hand.
That hand was snow-white and slender with delicate joints—clearly a woman’s hand.
The Palace Master appeared belly-first before her body, emerging from under the control panel while dusting herself off, casually gripping the councilor’s ankle and slamming her to the ground.
The impact against metal flooring was thunderous.
This blow was extremely heavy, but the councilor barely paused before springing back up.
Her cheongsam had torn, revealing pale gold close-fitting clothing underneath that glimmered faintly.
Her body seemed elongated several inches. Though the Palace Master was already tall, the councilor was still a full head taller.
Without pause, she charged at the Palace Master—her body extraordinarily swift and flexible like a golden leopard, tracing a smooth arc in midair. While still airborne, her whole body emitted faint yellow smoke, while her elbow suddenly shot out cold light, striking directly at the Palace Master’s abdomen.
No one could tell this classically dressed, seemingly delicate blonde woman moved like the most ferocious assassin.
The Palace Master flashed away from her original position, cold light piercing through the wall. With a wave of her hand, the pale yellow smoke crystallized into yellow ice, scattering on the ground.
As smoke scattered, the Palace Master backhanded a punch in return.
Her punch looked soft and powerless, but surrounding air seemed slightly distorted while frost flowers faintly appeared on walls.
The councilor seemed well-versed in martial arts, recognizing this punch’s extraordinary nature, twisting her body to spring away.
The next instant her body bent into a pretzel shape, suddenly appearing behind the Palace Master from a bizarre angle, backhanding an elbow with another cold light.
She seemed trained in contortion—her body’s flexibility was incredible. When striking, her entire person was like an upright coiling snake.
The Palace Master’s pupils contracted.
She’d always heard their weapons were powerful but personal combat had greatly deteriorated—at least no match for martial arts masters like them.
But clearly this one was different.
She didn’t know this person had originally risen through martial prowess in that other era—a special forces background.
The two women exchanged several moves instantly. One had tricky angles, smooth as a snake; the other had ghostly movements with frost-like punches. The latter perfectly countered the former. Temperature continuously dropped, countless ice crystals scattered on the ground, quickly melting to make the floor slippery. The overly cold temperature also reduced the councilor’s agility.
“Bang!” When the councilor back-flipped, she slipped and slid out, but reacted nimbly, using this slide to raise her hand and shoot at the Palace Master.
White light flashed. An ice dragon in midair became powder. The Palace Master’s form disappeared behind the ice dragon.
The next instant she landed, one knee on the ground, palm pressed down. Ground ice crystals recongealed, instantly forming a sword. She bent down to gently push the sword forward.
The sword flew quickly along the slippery ground. Where it passed, ice crystals and cold gathered rapidly, the sword growing larger. By the opposite wall, the councilor had just borrowed force from the wall to flip up when she met an iceberg head-on.
A muffled crash—ice flowers scattered everywhere. Before the councilor’s form could break through the mountain, a hand had already penetrated the snow mist, gripping her throat.
At this time, warriors slowed by electromagnetic waves that only activated during the command center’s emergency state had just struggled out of their restricted muscle combat clothing, not yet able to rescue their councilor before being threatened by swords from Da Qian troops who’d rushed in.
With swords before them and venomous snakes and insects prowling at their feet, all the cross-temporal elites were pale-faced, not daring to move.
Qi Ling and Chi Xue entered with their people. The former brought experts from the Court of Judicial Review and Ministry of Justice most skilled in interrogation, taking people away in batches.
Here the Palace Master and Chi Xue personally stripped off the councilor’s shimmering armor, put iron shackles made of Yuan iron on her, and personally guarded her.
After a while Qi Ling returned, speaking quietly with the two women. The Palace Master looked at Chi Xue.
With His Majesty absent, Chi Xue currently best represented His Majesty’s will in the capital.
Chi Xue said calmly: “When His Majesty departed, she instructed this servant that I’m only responsible for the safety of everyone in Chongming Palace. Inside the palace goes to Commander Wan, outside to Governor Qi. Court affairs are decided by the Cabinet and Grand Tutor’s consultation. Matters concerning the capital’s survival are jointly discussed by all parties. As long as it benefits the capital and Da Qian, this servant must fully cooperate. Governor and Madam Gu, please act freely.”
The Palace Master thought: “Actually what we’re thinking now isn’t benefiting the capital, but just benefiting His Majesty.”
Chi Xue looked at her with slight hope in her eyes.
The Palace Master said: “This should be a high-level enemy figure. Governor just interrogated those soldiers—apparently their ruler is an organization called Management, mainly divided into two factions. One is the general faction—the opposition’s son who died at His Majesty’s hands belonged to them. The other is this snake-like beauty before us. Both sides have many disagreements. Originally I planned to use the old trick of threatening the opposition with this woman’s life. Since that’s the case, plans must change. Because the general is surely eager for revenge, hoping his old rival suffers. Even knowing this beauty was captured, he definitely won’t agree to any conditions to save her.”
The councilor listened, immediately raising her head earnestly: “You understand well. Since so, release me and I’ll return to advocate for friendly cooperation with Da Qian. Look how advanced our weapons and technology are. If our two countries achieve peaceful cooperation—you provide us living space, we teach you the most advanced technology, helping you enter industrial revolution early—wouldn’t that be win-win?”
“Sounds truly wonderful,” the Palace Master nodded, stroking her chin.
The councilor showed no joy, earnestly watching her.
“But we have an even better suggestion for you,” the Palace Master said. “Keep you here, let you enjoy Da Qian people’s warm hospitality, let you enjoy the same treatment as our Majesty. His Majesty suffers one wound, you suffer one. His Majesty can’t sleep, you can’t sleep. His Majesty has no time to eat, you get forced dieting. Meanwhile we’ll let your people know you’ve successfully led your team to seize Da Qian’s political power, gained Da Qian ministers’ submission, everyone’s preparing to crown you new empress… Guess what your deadly rival general and your people will think?”
The councilor’s eyebrows slowly rose.
After a long while she said: “Da Qian people truly live up to their reputation—sinister and vicious.”
“You’re too kind,” the Palace Master smiled. “We neither crossed spacetime to kill people’s emperors, exterminate people’s civilians, steal people’s lands, nor used superior weapons to forcibly suppress opponents by bullying the weak. We’re just returning the favor to thugs who bullied us at our doorstep. We’re sinister and vicious, while you people are shameless.”
She waved her hand. Soldiers stepped forward to drag the councilor away.
“Wait!”
The Palace Master turned a deaf ear.
“Wait!” The councilor clawed at the ground with both hands, sprawling on the floor refusing to be dragged away. “You can’t do this!”
She knew these Da Qian people could do it. Then civilians would think she’d betrayed the Alliance. The general faction would seize the opportunity to kick everything of hers out of Management. People’s fury would engulf her subordinates, relatives, properties… She shivered all over.
For that instant, she regretted it.
Regretted that earlier when she’d clearly had opportunities to cooperate with the general in severely striking Da Qian, her secret research institute had newly developed pursuit cannons that could relentlessly hunt after inputting enemy DNA data, originally able to immediately eliminate that Da Qian Emperor. But wanting to watch the show, wanting the general faction to suffer in this competition and gradually lose supporters and assembly seats, she’d chosen cold observation.
Thus missing the best opportunity, letting enemies gradually grow during flight and combat.
No one paid attention to her. Soldiers coldly dragged the chains without looking back.
The councilor’s hands dug deep into the ground as she shouted: “Don’t do this! Tell me! What do you want me to do!”