Chapter 111: Letters and Promises

Yun Luoxuan had just returned to her room when she found Xu Yang standing by the window.

"My Lady, you have returned."

"Yes, the matter is settled. We shall depart for the Heavenly Kingdom today."

"As expected of you, My Lady. You persuaded the Tang Sect so quickly."

Yun Luoxuan sighed softly. "It was not that simple. How did your investigation into General Li go?"

At this, Xu Yang took a letter from his bag. "My Lady, I went to the Qin residence, but found they had already left. Later, with the help of a friend, I made contact with the Phantom. This letter was delivered by their agents, written to you personally by Brother Li."

Hearing that Li Qiutong had left her a letter, Yun Luoxuan was quite surprised. Ignoring the warnings Wei Zheng had given her earlier, she opened the envelope with curiosity.

The handwriting in the letter was not particularly elegant, but it was neat and orderly.

"Miss Yun, I am truly glad that you thought of me. I am very sorry that you had to hear about my scandal earlier; I did not expect the Tang Sect to use such methods against me. Fortunately, my strength has recovered, and with the help of my brothers, I managed to escape. I had intended to speak properly with the Tang Sect, but since they chose this attitude, I need not show them any more courtesy. I have led all my men toward the Han Kingdom. However, there is bad news: the King of Shu has fallen in battle, and Shu-Han City is no longer safe. Therefore, we have reached a new decision: to head north. We plan to capture Zhenbei Pass and use it as our new base. Rest assured, I promised your uncle that I would strive for the world he envisions; I hope you will like that kind of world. I do not know what else to say. Please, you must wait for me until the day I fulfill my promise. Also, you must strive for your own future; I believe in you."

When Yun Luoxuan flipped to this point, she saw a passage that had been scribbled out, beneath which a few faint, illegible characters remained.

"My Lady, what did he write?"

Yun Luoxuan smiled. "Nothing, just some interesting things." As she spoke, she looked off into the distance—a place where someone like her was also fighting for their dreams.

At the same time, in another part of Chang'an, someone else received a letter.

The Prince Ming Mansion.

"Your Highness, you have returned."

"Yes, I am going to my room to rest for a while. Do not disturb me."

"Understood." After the servant spoke, they left the room.

Prince Ming looked out the window helplessly. The recent events had left him utterly overwhelmed. First, Li Qiutong had inexplicably learned of the events from years ago and come to the mansion to confront him; he had been terrified then. Even more terrifying was that his own gentle and quiet niece had suddenly revealed herself to be the mastermind behind everything. Fortunately, Li Qiutong had been trapped; even he had not expected Li Qiutong to be so neatly outmaneuvered.

Yet, just when everything should have ended, Li Qiutong had escaped and defeated his foolish brother. This meant that he, Li Shiyuan, had offended a four-star Saint Martial artist—this was no laughing matter. Li Qiutong’s whereabouts were now unknown, and he might come seeking revenge at any moment.

"Alas, one cannot escape the consequences of their own actions. Why did I have to covet that thing back then?" As Li Shiyuan lamented, he noticed a stone resting on his otherwise empty desk, pinning down a piece of paper.

"What is this?" A confused Li Shiyuan stepped forward and opened the letter. As he read on, his heart grew increasingly alarmed.

"I imagine you didn't expect me to still be alive, Prince Ming. Thank you for taking such good care of me—from my grandfather down to me, you haven't missed a single one. I didn't intend to pursue this further, but since you want to play, I will play with you until the end. I, Li Qiutong, have never feared anyone in my life. What is your Tang Kingdom, or your Tang Sect, or Jingning? I left in such a rush this time that I couldn't repay the favor you did by framing me. Next time we meet, I want to hear your justification. Of course, regardless of your reasons, I will send you to the underworld to explain yourself to my grandfather in person. Signed: Li Qiutong."

After finishing the letter, Prince Ming choked back a gasp. The shadow of death began to loom over him, and his heart raced uncontrollably.

"No, this won't do. I must find a way." Anxious, he began frantically searching through his belongings.

Just then, a voice drifted in. "Your Highness, the Prince is resting. Perhaps you should wait a while."

"No need, I have an urgent matter to discuss with him." With the sound of footsteps, the door to Prince Ming's room was suddenly pushed open.

Jingning walked straight in. In the past, he would have been happy to see his niece, but now, the sight of her made Prince Ming feel a chill of dread.

"Uncle, were you just about to rest?" Jingning looked at him with a smile.

"Yes, yes." Prince Ming nodded. Suddenly realizing something, he ran to the door, shooed the servants away, and closed it again.

"Jingning, we are in great trouble."

"What happened? Why are you in such trouble?"

Prince Ming hurriedly handed the letter to Jingning. "Li Qiutong is targeting me. What should we do?"

Jingning took the letter calmly and began to read it slowly.

When she finished, her gaze sharpened, and she fell silent.

"What do we do? Jingning, Li Qiutong is someone who can defeat Li Yuanba. If he returns, we are all dead."

"Uncle, stay calm. Who dies is not yet certain."

"Niece, do you have a plan?" Prince Ming asked.

Jingning folded the letter and said indifferently, "No matter how strong Li Qiutong is, he would not dare make an enemy of an entire nation right now. The most important thing is to secure more military power and strengthen our position."

Jingning's words startled Li Shiyuan. "Niece, what... what do you mean?" A terrifying realization dawned on him.

"My dear uncle, why are you so indecisive? Have you not realized it yet? Li Qiutong's targets for revenge are you and me. If we want to live, we must take control of the Tang Kingdom."

"Jingning, how could you have such thoughts?" Prince Ming had never imagined his innocent, sweet niece could become like this.

"I have never liked being controlled by anyone. My fate must be decided by me alone. Who says there cannot be an Empress in this world?" Jingning said with a smile, but her smile filled Prince Ming with terror.

"Uncle, I have said it before: we are on the same boat. If you want to survive, you must help me."

"I... how can I help you?" Prince Ming realized that there seemed to be only one path left before him.

"I came today because there is something I must tell you. I just learned from Father that the Heavenly Kingdom has issued a call for an alliance, hoping that the Tang, Heavenly, and Qin kingdoms will attack Chu together. Father has already agreed, and this is our perfect opportunity."

"Opportunity? What kind of opportunity?" Prince Ming was puzzled.

"With Xue Rengui and Li Qiutong's current status unclear, the Qin family is even more suspect. Father is currently wondering who to appoint to lead the army against the Qin. I took this opportunity to recommend you. I expect that in tomorrow's morning court session, you will be appointed as the Great General for the Conquest of Qin. This way, the majority of the military power will be in our hands."

"So that's it. I truly underestimated you. Niece, I understand now. Tell me what to do, and I will do it. As long as you can ensure your uncle's life."

Having secured Prince Ming's cooperation, Jingning had achieved her goal for this visit. "Rest assured, Uncle. I will not lose. You should get some rest now; I am leaving." After bidding him farewell, Jingning left the Prince’s mansion and headed straight back to her own palace.

Once back in her room, Jingning dismissed her maids and remained alone. After confirming no one was watching, she gently pushed an incense burner, and a door slowly opened.

Jingning walked inside quietly. After descending a dark staircase, she entered a spacious room illuminated by a few flickering candles.

On the floor of the room, a strange ritual circle was drawn, and on a high platform within the circle rested a pure white feather.

Beside the ritual circle, a blond, blue-eyed man knelt in silence.

"How is the situation?"

The man kept his eyes closed but replied in a deep voice, "Kneel down. The Master’s consciousness has reached Dongwu."

Before Jingning could react, the feather on the platform suddenly emitted a blinding, scorching white light. The dim basement instantly became as bright as if under a midday sun. Jingning was unable to keep her eyes open.

Only when the scorching sensation slowly faded could Jingning force her eyes open. Everything around her had turned white; the gloom was gone.

In the previously empty ritual circle, a woman was slowly hovering above. A beautiful, minimalist silver-white armor was perfectly fused with her body; from the slender leg guards and exquisite skirt armor to the prominent breastplate, everything appeared entirely natural. Her holy and inviolable countenance made even the confident Jingning feel inferior. Long, soft golden waves of hair fell behind her, but what truly shocked Jingning were the six pairs of white wings gently vibrating behind her back. The wings emitted a soft halo, and an urge to kneel and submit arose deep within her heart.

"Are you the Dongwu person who wishes to cooperate with us?" Her soft, pink lips parted slightly, and her voice was incredibly gentle and melodious.

Jingning was stunned, and only when the angel spoke did she emerge from her awe. "Y-yes, that is correct."

"I am the Arbiter of the Western Demon Continent's Heavenly Realm, Seraph Gabriel. I have learned of your purpose through the prayers of my believers. Today, I reveal myself to you to establish a contract. Are you prepared, Dongwu person?"

Jingning's gaze grew firm. "I am prepared, Lady Seraph."

"Then offer your sacrificial item for the contract."

Jingning took an angel-inscribed container from behind her and held it out toward Gabriel. Before she could step forward, the container floated up and into Gabriel's hand.

Gabriel felt the contents of the container in silence, and her previously placid expression shifted. "Such powerful energy. It contains both the cold, hellish power and the scorching, holy power of light. I never imagined Dongwu possessed such wonderful and formidable power."

"Lady Seraph, this comes from a remarkably gifted martial artist in Dongwu. I wonder if you are satisfied." Jingning was curious why the Western Demon God would need this, but it seemed Li Qiutong's power was a perfect fit.

Gabriel nodded. "Very good. I can feel the power contained within." With a flicker of her finger, the container vanished.

"Dongwu person, with this item as a sacrifice, I establish this contract in the name of the Western Demon Heavenly Realm. The Western Demon Continent will assist you in unifying the Dongwu Continent. This feather is both the proof of our contract and a condensation of my divine essence, sufficient to ensure your safety." As she spoke, a feather slowly descended into Jingning's hand.

"I hope you will keep our agreement."

"Angels never break their promises." With those words, her figure slowly faded, and the white light gradually dimmed.

Only when everything returned to normal did Jingning exhale. Facing an angel had placed immense pressure on her heart.

"Your Highness, the contract is made. I will fully assist you in any of your plans." The man slowly stood up.

Jingning looked at the somewhat wooden man and asked curiously, "Do you know what your Master wants with that thing?"

"That, I am afraid..." the man hesitated.

Jingning gave a wicked smile and leaned in close to him. "I have already given the item; telling me won't affect you at all. Satisfy my curiosity. You know what a high price I paid to obtain that."

"Er, very well. I do know a part of it. The God of Prophecy once said that when fear and death arrive, only the union of the Eastern King and the Western God can give birth to a Savior, thereby changing and saving this world."

"So, she wants that thing because..." Hearing this, Jingning had already guessed the truth.

"Correct. The Master is willing to offer her own pure body for the sake of the world, to give birth to the Savior."