Letting Go? Like Hell

After gazing at Jiang Xuanli for a while, Qin Wangchuan squatted down to be at eye level with her.

"Now it's my turn to be confused."

"You possess exceptional talent and are destined to rule a magnificent Imperial Dynasty; you are the Empress."

"Besides, I've already promised to help you."

"Forgoing the path of being above millions, they choose to follow me."

"That's incredibly foolish."

"You were just acting on impulse; you'll sober up in a few days. I'll pretend I never heard what you said today—"

After saying that, he stood up, turned around, and started to leave.

"Qin Wangchuan."

Jiang Xuanli interrupted him, addressing him by his given name.

This is the first time.

Qin Wangchuan paused, then turned around.

She remained kneeling on the ground, looking up at him.

The probing look in those eyes was gone, replaced by a deep, almost stubborn stillness.

"Impulsiveness, yes, there was."

"It's not the kind of sudden thought you're thinking of."

"On the contrary, I've thought about this matter for a long time and hesitated for a long time."

"The Imperial Dynasty is both an honor and a shackle for me."

"Now the shackles are broken, and my mind is clear."

"I, Jiang Xuanli, am willing to dedicate myself to following the Divine Son."

Qin Wangchuan, watching, became interested and squatted down once more.

"Meaningless."

"You and I are friends, and also colleagues who went to the Wandao Academy together. Even if I don't become a follower, you can still stay with me."

"Besides, isn't following me just another kind of shackle?"

"What you're doing now is simply jumping from one shackle to another."

Jiang Xuanli is a bit older and belongs to the same generation as her Eldest Brother.

Although he can't compare to a monster like his Eldest Brother, he could still be considered on par with Prodigy like Chu Qingyan even within the Imperial Clan.

To achieve this level simply by being born into Immortal Power is enough to demonstrate his terrifying talent.

Background, ability, talent, appearance—everything about him is impeccable.

If it were an ordinary person, they would have accepted such a beautiful woman without hesitation if she were offered to them.

But Qin Wangchuan didn't.

He was very clear about some boundaries in his mind.

Friends are friends, and followers are followers.

He can treat his followers as friends, but he doesn't want to treat his friends as followers.

But Jiang Xuanli's mind was made up.

There are two kinds of shackles.

"One type is those who are forcibly put into this situation, and struggle their whole lives trying to break free."

"One type wears it willingly and then refuses to take it off."

"The Divine Son is right that following is a shackle. But mine is the latter."

She paused.

"The Divine Son regards me as a friend, so naturally he is with me."

But that's not enough for me.

"Not enough?" Qin Wangchuan asked, puzzled.

"Yes, not enough."

Jiang Xuanli looked at him intently, "I want to share the glory and disgrace, life and death with the Divine Son."

"The Divine Son just called me foolish, and he was absolutely right."

"I am a fool, lacking ambition and short-sighted."

"But the Divine Son is not."

"Your path, your way, is so glorious, so radiant. I've seen it all, and more than once I've had the urge to follow in your footsteps."

"Please grant my request Divine Son!"

Qin Wangchuan watched, then silently stood up.

'The Way...?'

"Whatever you want."

Jiang Xuanli felt as if she had been granted a pardon and bowed her head in gratitude:

"Thank you, Divine Son."

As she lowered her head, she gently raised her hands and stretched them forward, as if silently asking for something.

Qin Wangchuan wondered, "What kind of strange ritual is this?"

But in the end, he still extended his hand.

Jiang Xuanli accepted it reverently and kissed the back of his hand.

But the kiss didn't stop.

She took his hand and slowly led it towards him, pressing it against his neck.

His fingers then closed.

That slender, fragile neck fell into his palm.

Like a pair of shackles.

Qin Wangchuan lowered his eyes, looking at the severed neck in his palm.

Beneath her smooth skin, a pulse beat gently.

Jiang Xuanli looked up at him, her eyes devout yet burning with an almost pathological intensity.

Entrusting her life to him, there was no fear in her eyes, but rather a sense of relief, as if a long-standing worry had been lifted from her mind.

Imperial Dynasty may change hands, and beauty may fade; Qin Wangchuan could see these things in others at any time.

But you only have one life.

Once you fall into his hands, no one can take your place.

Her voice was extremely soft, almost a whisper.

"From this day forward, Xuanli's life belongs to the Divine Son."

"For the sake of the Divine Son... and for the sake of our shared path."

After seeing Jiang Xuanli off, another guest arrived.

It's Ji Wuchen.

When Ye Jianwei led the people in, he had a smile on his face and called out from afar, "Such a big thing as leaving the pass, and you only told Chu Wujiu?"

He approached, shook his head, and said, "That's not fair."

Qin Wangchuan gestured for him to sit down.

Ji Wuchen sat down, his gaze sweeping over him. "Tell me, what have you figured out this time?"

Despite saying that, there was no mockery in his eyes, only the unwavering determination to keep his eyes fixed on the benchmark.

Every time we meet, this person is significantly better than the last.

He dared not think too deeply about what he looked like today, more than five months had passed.

"I wouldn't call it enlightenment," Qin Wangchuan said calmly, "But I have indeed gained quite a bit."

"A new method."

"I knew it." Ji Wuchen shook his head admiringly. "Something that others might not even be able to grasp even in seclusion, you've made a breeze."

Ye Jianwei served the tea and then withdrew.

"I'm not here for any important business," Ji Wuchen said lazily after drinking half a cup of tea. "I just wanted to drag you to see some excitement."

"Lively?"

"Yes. Remember that girl who chased after Ye Lingchuan in the Academy?"

Qin Wangchuan thought for a moment.

I don't have many memories, only a vague recollection that he was a pretty good person.

"They were mutually attracted, and everything was going well." Ji Wuchen put down his teacup. "The young lady was also happy to stay in the Immortal Court."

"Who would have thought that she would be detained the moment she returned to the sect to retrieve her belongings?"

"The cause is unknown."

Qin Wangchuan raised an eyebrow.

"So melodramatic?"

"That's right." Ji Wuchen spread his hands and laughed, "It seems our Young Master Ye is about to risk everything for a woman."

"He and Chu Wujiu's group have already gone downstairs."

"So, are you going or not?"

Qin Wangchuan picked up his teacup but didn't answer immediately.

Indeed, it's been a long time since I've seen those people.

"Alright, let's go take a look."

The tallest pavilion in the Qin Clan compound.

A white figure sat atop the eaves.

A moon-white dress, with a shawl loosely draped over her shoulders.

As the wind blew, the hem of her skirt and the corner of her silk robe fluttered gently together.

Qin Zhaoer sat on the edge of the eaves, her skirt slipping open to reveal a pair of dazzlingly white thighs, while her calves dangled over the eaves, swaying back and forth.

This is where she usually goes.

Sitting here, with the entire Qin Clan and all the busy figures below me, I feel very comfortable, as if I have them all under my feet.

Later, after Qin Wangchuan appeared, he had another use.

This building faces the Divine Son Hall directly, so you can see everything that person does in front of the palace from here.

The best position to spy on him.

But today...

This secret hideout didn't cheer her up; in fact, it made things worse.

Because of that person.

Qin Zhaoer's gaze slowly moved downwards.

The man was walking out side by side with Ji Wuchen, chatting and laughing, without turning his head, and disappeared in the blink of an eye.

They're gone.

The pent-up frustration that had been building up in my chest for days, mixed with an indescribable bitterness, all surged up at once.

'You old codger.'

'Let them go then, who cares?'

She cursed inwardly and turned her face away, refusing to look down, instead gazing up at the sky.

The spiritual light of the grand formation flowed through the clouds, and numerous celestial patrol boats shuttled back and forth. Further away, lingering strange phenomena remained, dazzling and colorful.

Just like her heart right now, it feels empty and chaotic.

It's time to wake up from this dream.

Qin Zhaoer let out a soft breath and slowly stood up.

Just then, a gust of wind swept up to the eaves, causing her skirt and shawl to flutter like butterflies, making her close her eyes.

When I opened my eyes again, time seemed to have stood still.

The hustle and bustle disappeared, and in the vast sky and earth, only that dreamy figure remained, facing her eyes.

Qin Wangchuan appeared beside Qin Zhaoer at some point. Seeing her staring blankly at him, a complex expression crossed his brows, and he softly called out:

"Old woman."