A Narrow Defeat

(It's time to climb the rankings again—the new Dragon Seal book list is entering its final week. Please lend me your support!)

Inside Huai'an Nord's main tent, Qi Bei was writing furiously.

Before long, Qi Bei tossed aside his brush, folded and sealed the letter, then handed it to Huai'an. "Big Brother, I left in such a hurry that there's something I haven't had time to take care of. After I leave, secretly deliver this letter to Marquis Lanling. Don't let anyone know."

Marquis Lanling?

Huai'an was somewhat puzzled, but since Qi Bei did not wish to explain, he would not press him. They were brothers, and he trusted Qi Bei absolutely. Thus, he agreed without another word.

Half an hour later, Huo Lie had finished selecting the men, and the siblings Vajra and Phantom had also come to Qi Bei's side.

"Father, Big Brother, take care." Qi Bei stepped forward and embraced Raymond Nord and Huai'an Nord before turning and climbing into a carriage. The two hundred and fifty members of the Black Armored Army disguised themselves as guards for a small merchant caravan and followed Qi Bei onto an unknown journey.

Qi Bei lifted the carriage curtain and leaned out to look back. He watched the enormous Imperial Capital shrink smaller and smaller before his eyes, and a blazing fire churned in his heart.

"One day, I, Qi Bei, will return in a manner that commands the world's attention," Qi Bei thought.

Perhaps one day, the history books would record it like this: On a pitch-black night, a youth walked out of the Golden Leaf Imperial Capital and toward the vast world. From then on, he would swim with the fish in the open sea and soar with dragons through the nine heavens...

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At daybreak, Golden Leaf First Avenue was exceptionally quiet.

At Marquis Lanling's residence, the steward held a letter and knocked on Marquis Lanling's door.

"What is it?" Marquis Lanling opened the door. He had only just awakened from cultivation and was not especially furious.

"A letter for you, Marquis. It was delivered by someone wearing a cloak, who said it concerned your life and death." Trembling with fear, the steward handed over the letter.

Marquis Lanling gathered his battle aura in his hand, accepted the letter, and waved for the steward to leave.

The moment he unfolded and read it, Marquis Lanling's pupils contracted. His hands trembled, and he nearly dropped the letter.

"Bedroom puppet, underground secret chamber, Nan Wuya, Venerable Wutian. Midnight tonight, Lanhe Town, five hundred li northwest of the Imperial Capital. No extensions; bear the consequences yourself." The letter contained only two short lines, yet they nearly sent Marquis Lanling's soul flying. His heart rose into his throat.

"Other than that mysterious expert who rescued Nan Wuya and killed Venerable Wutian that day, no one else could know about this. What does he want with me?" Marquis Lanling drew several deep breaths, calming his violently pounding heart.

"With an expert of his caliber, he would have killed me already if that was what he wanted. Since he sought me out, I must still have some use to him." Marquis Lanling's thoughts turned, and instead of being frightened, he was delighted. Venerable Wutian was dead, and sooner or later, Nan Wuya's affairs might come crashing down on his head. If he could cling to another towering tree, all the better.

Marquis Lanling immediately changed clothes and slipped out of the residence, then galloped toward Lanhe Town, five hundred li away.

The sun rose above the horizon, and the Imperial Capital began to bustle.

Just then, a squad of imperial guards escorted an inner palace official to the Nord Family residence to proclaim Emperor Hanmos's decree.

"Head of the Nord Family, His Majesty has decreed that Qi Bei Nord be elevated to First-Class Viscount, with his fief changed to Kaiyang, Boqing, and Mingxin. He is also to proceed to the Imperial Palace at once to pay his respects to His Majesty." The inner palace official spoke respectfully to Kodi Nord. Even as Emperor Hanmos's confidant, he did not dare act rashly before the head of the number-one family in Golden Leaf.

"Ah, I never expected my fifth grandson to be so favored by His Majesty. If I had known, I would have made him stay no matter what," Kodi Nord sighed.

"What? Head of the Nord Family, where has Viscount Qi Bei gone?" the inner palace official asked in astonishment.

"That boy's heart is set on the wilds. He was desperate to go to his fief, so he left as soon as the engagement ceremony ended. It is truly a shame before His Majesty's great favor. I suppose he simply lacks the fortune to receive it." Kodi Nord wore an expression of regret.

"This... I will report back to His Majesty at once. Farewell." The inner palace official was deeply shocked and hurried away.

After Emperor Hanmos received the inner palace official's report, he slammed his palm down on the desk before him. The books, brushes, and ink scattered across the floor from the impact.

"What a sly old fox." Emperor Hanmos ground his teeth.

"Immediately investigate every merchant caravan and military unit that left the Imperial Capital last night. If you discover Qi Bei Nord's trail, intercept him at once." Emperor Hanmos quickly recovered from his fury and issued the order calmly.

A night of upheaval had swept through the Imperial Capital. While ordinary citizens were still enthusiastically discussing the topics surrounding Qi Bei and Princess Mingyue's wedding, hidden currents were already surging above them.

In this contest between the Imperial Family and the Nord Family, one side had clearly lost by a move. Their conflict had grown even sharper. What had originally been hidden beneath the storm had now revealed the tip of the iceberg.

In Sleeping Moon Palace, Princess Mingyue sat surrounded by the Feng sisters.

"Qi Bei Big Brother left? How could it be so soon?" Feng Ruoyu asked, her little mouth hanging open.

"I only just found out myself." Princess Mingyue appeared utterly calm. Not the slightest ripple of emotion could be seen on her face, as though she were speaking of something completely unrelated to her.

Feng Ruoyun did not join in. Clever as she was, she could already fully guess the reason behind what had happened.

"Mingyue, you're his fiancée. Didn't he even say goodbye to you?" Feng Ruoyu complained indignantly. Anyone could see that she was not upset on Princess Mingyue's behalf, but on her own. He had actually left without saying a word to her—how infuriating.

Goodbye? Did the two of them even need to say goodbye? Since they both understood everything in their hearts, what need was there for farewells?

Though that was what she thought, a faint melancholy stirred in Princess Mingyue's heart.

Their worlds had intersected for only an instant before diverging toward two opposite directions. That faint curiosity quietly stirred within their hearts would probably fade with time as well.

Feng Ruoyu chattered on, listing Qi Bei's faults, while Princess Mingyue and Feng Ruoyun sank into their own thoughts.

Just then, a palace maid came running over, panic still written across her face. Stammering, she said, "P-Princess, Young Master Fentian has arrived.

Feng Ruoyun took Feng Ruoyu by the hand. "Mingyue, we're heading home too. If you have time, come visit me at the Golden Fortress."

"Of course. Take care on the way." Princess Mingyue nodded.

As the Feng sisters left the palace, they happened to see Fentian entering. Shock flashed through both their beautiful eyes, and they understood why the palace maid had looked so terrified.

It turned out that although Fentian had changed into a clean magic robe and no longer looked as miserable as he had the previous day,

A vivid red scar rose from his neck to the corner of his left eye. It was so glaring that it looked like a centipede crawling across his face, making one's heart turn cold at a glance.

"Sis, our Feng Family has spiritual medicines that can restore this kind of external injury. Even if we don't, the priests of the Temple of the God of Light could cast a healing spell. The priests of the Temple of the God of Light would surely show the disciples of Tongtian Mountain that much respect," Feng Ruoyu said softly.

"It isn't that he can't. He simply doesn't want to." Feng Ruoyun recalled the sinister look in Fentian's eyes and gently shook her head. It seemed his hatred for Qi Bei had already been carved into his soul.