Long Night Is Not Yet Over, Do Not Sing of Dawn (Grand Finale)

Spring had come.

The weather gradually warmed, but the flames of war continued to spread.

"The struggle for supremacy is nothing more than each person holding a torch to light a different road ahead. That really does make your blood boil."

The sun was bright. Li Yunqing lay back in a rocking chair on the warship's deck, sipping his stored vintage wine as he took in the messages sent from Di'an. Suddenly, he smiled at the middle-aged man kneeling not far beside him and said:

"Lord Daimyo, do you know? Some time ago, if I'd been willing, the weighty task of holding the torch might well have fallen to me."

The middle-aged man wore a kimono and kept a stern expression.

"Your Highness, Xien is powerful, and the defenses are already on the verge of collapse. Many daimyo have surrendered to them. I have no interest in idle talk like this."

Li Yunqing laughed casually.

"Are you saying that Xien is more terrifying than my great Great Yan?"

The kimono-clad man fell silent for a moment, then murmured:

"As far as I know, your country has fallen into a full-scale civil war and cannot extricate itself."

The warm sea breeze caressed their faces, gentle and refreshing.

Li Yunqing narrowed his eyes slightly and stared at the other man for several breaths.

"Looks like Lord Daimyo is already scared witless by Xien."

"This is the difference in national strength!"

The kimono-clad man met his gaze without yielding an inch. "The warriors under my command are brave and fearless, but Xien is simply too powerful. If your country cannot provide sufficient support, then I'm afraid I'll have no choice but to accept their peace proposal."

Li Yunqing wasn't annoyed. He circulated his cultivation technique and glanced at the distant continental shelf beyond