Mingxin and Little Medicine Spirit watched Li Weifeng from afar, surrounded by the crowd. The formally dressed Prince Qin had deep, lifeless eyes. He wore solemn black court robes, garments reserved for grand ceremonies, which only made his face seem even paler.
He seemed to be melting into the world, like transparent ice.
For some reason, Mingxin suddenly recalled a conversation he had once had with [Yin].
"The distance to a distant mountain lies in the fact that you can only gaze at it from afar. Reaching it is no easy matter. But the sun is farther still—you can only look upon it from a distance. There is no question of climbing up to it."
"Because if you get too close to the sun, its brilliance will scorch you."
Phoenix, oh Phoenix.
Did you burn your wings trying to fly to the sun?
What kind of sun had you glimpsed?
The news that had returned this time was the final dispatch of the year. King Wei Wu's resolve and his valor, which could swallow mountains and rivers, had become the talk of the people, while the other nations trembled in fear, keeping their horses saddled and their armor on as they stood ready for battle.
Yet King Wei Wu merely advanced at a leisurely pace, eating and drinking his fill. No one knew whether it was a feint to confuse the enemy or a ploy to wear them down.
But whatever the strategy—whether he seemed relaxed on the surface while secretly preparing a vicious strike, or was truly letting his guard down and planning to wait at his ease while they exhausted themselves—the nations still dared not slacken their vigilance. Facing King Wei Wu's might, which had brought entire states to ruin, they could only grit their teeth and hold