AGM 222 - Time is like a Dream
Qin Wu naturally understood what Chu Wuwei was hinting at.
The fury of the Nine Mystical Palace had descended onto the Royal Clan of Chu and the Emperor Star Academy all because of Xiao Lan’s death, and thereby diminished the powers of both parties, getting rid of the Heavenly Dipper Sovereigns from both sides. The only one that stood to profit the most, was undoubtedly Qin Wu.
“General Qin, pull your forces out of the Royal Capital according to our agreement. I have no wish to pursue the grudges and grievances of the past. Just let the hatred of the past generation dissipate like the wind,” Chu Wuwei calmly spoke. Qin Wu stared at Chu Wuwei silently, as a murderous glint flashed in his eyes.
“General Qin, Qin Wentian isn’t that simple-minded. He has already deduced many things, it’s just that he didn’t want to say too much. If you insist on stubbornly clinging to your course, you have to be prepared that he may sever his ties with your Qin Clan. Killing me here now equates to you admitting that back then, the masked man who stabbed Qin Wentian through his heart, was sent there on your orders.”
Chu Wuwei’s gaze sharpened, staring at Qin Wu. That day during the clash between the Royal Clan and Emperor Star Academy, Qin Wentian was almost assassinated. Because of that assassination attempt, the relationship between the Royal Clan and the Emperor Star Academy became like fire and ice. And that was already considering the fact that Qin Wentian didn’t die. If Qin Wentian had died back then, the Emperor Star Academy would definitely have gone mad and stormed the Royal Clan, leading to heavy casualties to the point of almost total annihilation on both sides.
Qin Wu stared back at Chu Wuwei in silence, his countenance ice-cold. After a long time, he smiled and stated, “Fine, fine. I’ve never treated Chu Tianjiao as my opponent, yet I didn’t expect that despite all my plans and preparations, I would still lose to the inconspicuous elder prince that didn’t want to join the fight for power. Chu Wuwei, you’ve won.”
After speaking, Qin Wu turned and walked away.
Qin Wentian followed after Qin Wu, seeing that the private conversation between Qin Wu and Chu Wuwei had ended.
Everything, was finally concluded.
“Relay my orders, prepare to retreat outside the Royal Capital.” Qin Wu returned to where he originally stood, as he commanded in a loud voice. The surrounding troops were all stunned by his decision. Turning their heads to glance at Qin Wentian, they couldn’t help sighing in their hearts before obeying Qin Wu’s orders.
Had Qin Wentian come to a decision?
“Wentian.” Qin Chuan hadn’t departed, staring at the silhouette of his son up in the air.
Qin Wentian descended, landing beside Qin Chuan as he smiled apologetically, “Father, your son is unfilial.”
“Silly child.” Qin Chuan rubbed Qin Wentian on his head. In his eyes, no matter how Qin Wentian acted, he would always be a little kid to him. Qin Wentian was his son, and his pride.
“After our paths separate, I will no longer be able to help you. You have to take care of yourself.” Qin Chuan sighed.
“Don’t worry father, I will frequently return to Sky Harmony to visit you.” Qin Wentian held the hand of his father, giving it a tight squeeze. Regardless of what Qin Wu’s personality might be, Qin Chuan would always be his father.
“Hey little fellow, you’ve grown up.” Qin He and Qin Ye grinned, as they walked over.
Seeing the broken arm of Qin He, Qin Wentian felt an indescribable feeling in his heart. This was the price one had to pay for the vying of power. He wondered if Qin Wu would feel shame for his own actions.
Drawing in a deep breath, Qin Wentian walked forwards to embrace his second and third uncle into a hug. “Second Uncle and Third Uncle, take care of yourselves in the future.”
“Don’t worry about us.” Qin He carefreely smiled, as though the fact that he had a broken arm didn’t bother him.
“When you are roaming the world, remember to keep a lower profile. Be cautious in all things you do,” Qin He instructed.
“Smelly kid, when you have great accomplishments in the future, don’t you dare forget about this third uncle of yours.” Qin Ye laughed loudly, as he heavily patted Qin Wentian on his shoulder.
They had seen Qin Wentian climbing up from a cripple up to the point where his talent had awakened. Now that Qin Wentian reached this step today, they truly felt gratified in their hearts. Qin Wentian was of their Qin Clan, and even though he didn’t give the rulership to them, it wouldn’t affect their feelings of kinship towards him.
The men of Qin Clan, were all men of character.
“Mhm.” Qin Wentian heavily nodded his head.
“Haha, enough from us, there’s still a brat that wishes to talk to you.” Qin He and Qin Ye stepped aside, and following which, Qin Wentian saw a beautiful young woman walking over to him. This person, was none other than his sister, Qin Yao.
“Sister, you are still so enchanting, even when clad in armor.” Qin Wentian grinned.
“Flowery words don't work on me.” Qin Yao rolled her eyes as she smiled, “What are your plans in the future?”
“I plan to roam the Grand Xia Empire in the near future,” Qin Wentian replied.
“Mhm, considering your talent, your decision is right. Chu is too small for you.” Qin Yao nodded in agreement. “However, doesn’t that mean it would be very difficult for us to see you in the future?”
Thinking of this, a vague hint of sadness could be seen in Qin Yao’s eyes. The two of them had grown up together and were exceptionally close.
“How can this be? How would I bear to stay away from seeing my beautiful sister for long periods of time,” Qin Wentian joked, trying to cover her sadness. Qin Yao understood his intention. Stepping forwards, moving even closer, Qin Yao tiptoed and gave a light kiss on Qin Wentian’s forehead.
After which, Qin Yao ran off, turning her head while giggling, “Smelly brat, remember to come back and visit your sister often in the future.”
Looking at the departing back view of Qin Yao walking away, Qin Wentian heavily nodded his head.
The troops of the Qin Clan gradually all departed. Qin Wu didn’t even say a word of farewell or interacted with Qin Wentian. Maybe he was blaming Qin Wentian, or maybe he was ashamed of all the things he had done. But no matter what, Qin Wentian knew that Qin Chuan, Qin He, Qin Ye and Qin Yao would always be his family.
In order to not affect their familial ties, it would be better to let bygones be bygones.
Just like what Chu Wuwei had said to Qin Wu, Qin Wentian wasn’t that simple-minded. He had already deduced the truth of many things, but choosing to let go of these matters would be better for everyone.
The departure of the Qin Troops, the fall of Chu Tianjiao; Qin Wentian believed that with the capabilities of Chu Wuwei, he would easily be able to control any ensuing consequences. No one was more familiar than Chu Wuwei regarding the various power factions of Chu.
Chu Wuwei walked to the side of Qin Wentian, smiling at him. “Give me some time to settle the aftermath of this war. I’ll treat you to wine when I’m done.”
“Right.” Qin Wentian smiled, as he too, walked away.
Those from the Ouyang Clan and Greencloud Pavilion accompanied Qin Wentian as they left. And as for that ephemeral beauty Qing`er, she had long disappeared from sight. The storm that had been brewing in Chu, was finally over.
Qin Wentian chose to disappear from the public eye, yet pieces of rumors and news regarding him spread like wildfire all around Chu.
Not two years had passed since this young man stepped into the Royal Capital, yet he was capable enough to re-write the history of Chu.
There was no one in Chu that did not know of his name. It was said that he slayed Luo Qianqiu, a genius of the Nine Mystical Palace at the second level of Yuanfu in only ten breaths of time.
It was said that he overwhelmingly destroyed Chu Tianjiao with absolute strength.
It was also said that Qin Wentian, who had the authority of rulership in his hands, had chosen Chu Wuwei rather than the Qin Clan.
Naturally these pieces of rumors and news became more and more exaggerated as time passed, but one thing was for certain; Qin Wentian was the person who decided the rulership of Chu.
A cool breeze of wind gusted over the vast expanse of land that was the Royal Capital. After Chu Wuwei was ordained as the Emperor, he immediately issued an imperial decree stating that because of the actions his father, the previous emperor, had committed, the Qin Clan was wronged and suppressed to the extent that they were forced to rebel. The reasons behind their actions were understandable, no punishment or blame shall be allocated to those that had supported the Qin Clan. Not only that, Qin Wu was bestowed Kingship, taking over the position of the Wu King and granted the administration rights of Sky Harmony City and over ten other cities. The troops under Qin’s command were to return and guard the borders, not to leave without permission ever again.
At the same time, the rebuilding of the Emperor Star Academy commenced, re-establishing their position as the number one cultivation academy in Chu. Chu Wuwei himself was granted the position of a honorary elder by Ren Qianxing and would instruct and guide students from time to time. This caused many to speculate, wasn’t Chu Wuwei a cultivation cripple? How would he be able to guide the students?
After the imperial decree was passed, the Wu King, Qin Wu, swept his gaze over the Royal Capital before leading his troops away. That glance contained a myriad of emotions, too complicated to decipher.
Life and death are determined by destiny, wealth and riches are decreed by the Heavens!
If he knew Qin Wentian would turn out to be so powerful today, he would surely have planned things differently.
Sadly, everything had ended. Chu Wuwei wasn’t Chu Tianjiao and wouldn’t give him another opportunity to mobilise his forces again. In the gamble this time round, he could clearly sense how formidable Chu Wuwei was. In terms of intelligence and strategy, Chu Wuwei was unequalled in Chu.
Qin Wu missed the chance he had to become the Emperor; he would never have the opportunity ever again.
Qin Wu’s heart was filled with regrets, similar to the hearts of those in the Bai Clan.
Bai Qingsong and Autumn Snow, stood outside a luxurious mansion. The once illustrious Ye Clan’s Mansion was now deserted, emanating a cold and cheerless aura.
“The Ye Clan is finished.” After Bai Qingsong destroyed his cultivation, he aged tremendously. With a head filled with white hair, he gazed calmly at the Ye Clan’s Mansion with an indescribable feeling in his heart.
Autumn Snow nodded in agreement. The Ye Clan was finished.
In this gambling bet, the Ye Clan had chosen to side with Chu Tianjiao. Their forces were utterly decimated in the war and after everything was concluded, Chu Wuwei restructured the authority and power in the Royal Capital, causing the Ye Clan to fall from nobility and into destitution.
They had lost everything.
“The affairs of the world are unpredictable,” Bai Qingsong deeply lamented. Who would have thought that the illustrious Ye Clan, second only to the Royal Clan in the past, would have fallen so swiftly? And who would have imagined that the Qin Clan that was in imminent peril back then, would actually become a force that had the power to sweep past everything in Chu?
Also, who would have ever guessed that the young cultivation cripple back then, wouldn’t even require two years to become someone that could determine the fate of Chu.
If he could predict the future, how would he, Bai Qingsong, make the choice he did back then?
“Time, is like a dream…” Bai Qingsong turned as he departed. His countenance turned wizened, his back stooped with age.
Witnessing how drastically her father’s appearance had changed into that of a feeble, old man, Autumn Snow silently wept, tears streaking down her face.