Zhao City, which had stood for more than six hundred years, still towered majestically in the east of All Xia. Its walls were covered in weathered traces of antiquity, yet the entire city possessed a vibrant solidity.
Dazzling sunlight shone down upon the magnificent city gates, upon the bastions atop the walls, upon the endless streams of State People in the streets, before finally falling into Luo Palace and onto Luo Yu.
He was very old.
His hair and beard were white.
Yet every strand remained perfectly neat, meticulously combed into place. Dressed in black robes, he knelt quietly with his back straight.
Xishi poured him warm wine. She still looked as she had when they first met, but her many years living peacefully in Luo Palace had lent her a profound serenity, like a pool of clear spring water.
The hero had reached his twilight, while the beauty had not aged.
Gazing at the white snow and red plum blossoms before him, and recalling the countless ancestors who had passed away in the depths of winter, Luo Yu sighed softly. "Another bitter winter has come. Will I pass away this winter?"
Xishi's slender hands trembled slightly, then she broke into a smile. "Through the blue sky and down to the Yellow Springs, I will go with you."
Sorrow touched Luo Yu's eyes. He took Xishi's hand. "My beloved, you don't understand. I will only be sleeping for a time, but you..."
Luo Yu said no more, merely chanting softly, "The Sage King's divine spirit dwells in heaven, bestowing radiance upon his descendants."
Xishi was somewhat puzzled. She could not understand, but she was special, and could vaguely sense something.
Ji Zhao suddenly appeared beside Luo Yu. Luo Yu froze, then prostrated himself like a golden mountain toppling and a