"Your father often spoke of you before me. He said you were the greatest pride of his life. Now that I have seen you today, you truly are extraordinary."
Gu Ci said modestly, "You flatter me, Marshal."
Murong Longcheng said nothing further and continued assigning tasks.
But he remembered the boy's name.
Night had deepened, yet the walls of Cangyun Pass were brightly lit.
The white glow of Soul Lights illuminated every stretch of the ramparts. Soldiers patrolled the walls in groups of two and three; some leaned against the battlements to doze, some spoke quietly, while others polished their weapons.
The air was thick with tension and exhaustion.
Gu Ci stood atop the wall, gazing toward the distant camp of the Star Luo Empire.
The camp was ablaze with lights. Soldiers could vaguely be seen moving about, while warhorses neighed.
Farther away, at the edge of the plains, lay a swath of darkness where earth and sky were impossible to distinguish.
The night wind carried autumn's chill and a faint, almost imperceptible scent of blood.
Zi Dian lay on his shoulder, its golden eyes fixed on the distant enemy camp.
Night Shadow poked its head out of the Soul Spirit Space, silver Thunder Patterns flickering faintly in the darkness.
Thunder Emperor remained as steady as a mountain, resting with its eyes closed in the Soul Spirit Space as though the war outside had nothing to do with it.
"Can't sleep?"
Gu Xiao's voice came from behind him.
Gu Ci turned and saw his father walking onto the wall with two bowls of hot soup in his hands.
He handed one bowl to Gu Ci, then held the other himself, leaned against the battlement, and slowly drank.
Gu Ci accepted the bowl and took a sip. Warmth spread from his