A deep, heavy thought flashed in the depths of Kong Deming's cloudy yet sharp eyes.
Perhaps, in dealing with the immense threat posed by that terrifying monster, Toji, this Empress will become an indispensable... key figure for the empire?
Even, in some sense... hope?
This idea surprised even Kong Deming himself.
He shook his head, temporarily suppressing his chaotic thoughts, and refocused his attention on the research that had been damaged and urgently needed repair.
But the name "Ju Zi" was deeply imprinted in the heart of this father of the Soul Engineer.
Her importance needs to be reassessed, and... she needs to be closely monitored.
The queen's bedroom.
The heavy palace doors shut out the noise of the outside world and the sunlight of the day, with only a few Soul Guidance Lamp emitting a soft glow.
The air still seemed to carry the lingering stench of last night's bloodshed and a faint, almost imperceptible, chilling aura.
Toji's figure appeared silently in the room, as if blending into the shadows.
Ju Zi was sitting in front of the dressing table, fixing her slightly messy hair in front of the mirror.
The woman in the mirror bore the weariness of a great battle in her eyes and brows, yet deep within that weariness burned an indescribable, bright flame.
Hearing the familiar, almost imperceptible thud, she didn't turn around. Instead, she spoke softly to her reflection in the mirror, her voice carrying a barely perceptible hoarseness and determination:
" Grandmaster Kong Deming's situation... should be stable for now." She paused, picked up a phoenix hairpin, and steadily inserted it into her hair. "Next, a tough battle is about to begin. Xu Tianran has officially ordered that I lead the Fire Phoenix Soul Engineer Legion to the front lines to participate in the decisive battle against the Western Frontier of the Star Luo Empire."
She turned around, her gaze falling on Toji in the shadows. Her magnificent palace attire accentuated her tall and straight figure, making her look like a Valkyrie about to go into battle.
"Hmm." Toji's response was still brief. He walked to the window, his gaze fixed on the deep nightscape of the palace gardens outside, as if weighing the passage of time. "I should leave too."
He spoke slowly, his voice calm and even:
"I will give you five years. After five years, I will make my move and kill Xu Tianran."
"No problem." Ju Zi stood up and walked a short distance behind Toji. "Five years. That's enough."
A brief silence fell over the room.
Parting is imminent, and the next meeting may be five years from now, at the pinnacle of power amidst blood and fire.
Just as Toji was about to take a step, his figure about to disappear into the shadows again.
"Wait," Ju Zi suddenly spoke up.
Toji, his steps faltering.
The next second, like a moth drawn to a flame, Ju Zi rushed forward with a reckless determination and long-suppressed emotions, grabbing Toji's collar.
Toji subconsciously, she wanted to turn around.
However, Ju Zi didn't give him time to react. Almost with an astonishing burst of strength, she leaped upwards with both feet off the ground.
Her legs wrapped tightly around Toji's strong waist like vines, while her arms also tightly embraced Toji's neck, hanging herself firmly on his body.
This sudden, extremely intimate contact caused Toji's body to stiffen instantly once again.
He could clearly feel the warmth and softness of the delicate body in his arms, and her rapid heartbeat.
The unique fragrance of a young girl, mixed with a hint of the cool, smoky scent of an empress, forcefully filled his nostrils.
Ju Zi tilted her head back, her beautiful face flushed with a captivating blush of excitement and nervousness, and her lovely eyes burned with a desperate flame and a deep love.
Without hesitation or reservation, she pressed her lips deeply and recklessly against Toji's tightly pursed, hard-lined lips.
The soft, warm, and slightly trembling touch sent an electric current through both of them in an instant.
Toji didn't push her away. His hand, which had been hanging by his side, slowly rose as Ju Zi passionately kissed him. Finally, gently, with an almost awkward response, he embraced Ju Zi's slender yet surprisingly strong and supple waist.
This silent embrace was like a warm torrent, instantly breaking down the last line of defense in Ju Zi's heart.
Her kiss deepened, grew more passionate, and carried a frenzied desire to merge herself into the other's very being.
Only the two of them breathing heavily, their breaths mingling, and the soft, intimate sounds of their lips touching, filled the bedroom.
Time seemed to have lost its meaning.
After an unknown amount of time, Ju Zi seemed to have exhausted all her strength and courage. Slowly and reluctantly, she loosened her tightly entwined legs and arms, slid off Toji, and placed her feet back on the carpet.
She was breathing slightly heavily, her chest heaving, her cheeks flushed like the most beautiful sunset, and her lips were vibrant and luscious.
She lowered her head, not daring to look into Toji's eyes, her long eyelashes trembling like butterfly wings.
Toji slowly loosened his grip on her waist.
His expression remained unchanged, as if the passionate kiss had never happened. However, his gaze lingered for a fleeting moment on Ju Zi's slightly swollen, glistening lips.
I'm leaving.
Ju Zi suddenly raised her head, her eyes still moist and filled with a hint of reluctance, and nodded vigorously.
Toji another word, he turned away.
This time, his figure did not immediately disappear into the shadows, but instead walked with steady steps toward the side door of the sleeping quarters.
I pushed open the door, and outside was the faint light of dawn.
He took a step forward, and his figure disappeared completely from Ju Zi's sight as if swallowed by the morning light.
Ju Zi stood there, gazing at the empty door for Jiujiu, as if she could still see that cold, hard back.
She raised her hand, her fingertips gently tracing her still burning lips, where his cool yet scorching breath seemed to linger.
The complex emotions surging in my heart—reluctance, longing, and palpitations—gradually receded like the tide.
Instead, there was an unprecedented, unyielding will, as hard as tempered steel.
The moisture in her eyes vanished completely, replaced by a steadfast determination and burning ambition.
Five years!
Ju Zi took a deep breath, straightened her spine, and at that moment, her magnificent palace dress seemed to transform into a battle robe for going into battle.
Over the course of five years, she will use every means at her disposal to accumulate military merits on the battlefield of blood and fire, weave a web of power in the vortex of influence, and play the perfect pawn by Xu Tianran's side.
Five years later, when that man returns, she will personally hand over the power of the entire Sun Moon Empire.
For his promise to "kill until no one dares to force you," for that deep-seated, unquestionable love, and for... Ju Zi own destiny!
"Five years..." she murmured softly, her voice clear and strong, echoing in the empty bedchamber, "Wait for me!"
The morning light streamed through the window, illuminating her beautiful yet resolute face and outlining the silhouette of a future empress.