Chapter Thirty-Three: The Emperor of the Celestial Severance Palace

On the way back, their pace slowed, letting the horses amble along. Night quietly drew down its curtain; gazing up at the sky, it seemed as if, in the blink of an eye, the stage would transform, revealing a dazzling expanse of stars.

Kaimei, having held her tongue for a long while, could no longer resist reminding, "Sir."

Xingji responded mildly, glancing over.

"If we keep on like this, we’ll be late returning to camp," she pointed at the leisurely horses. "We’re moving too slowly."

Turning forward to the deepening darkness among the trees, he replied, "There’s no hurry."

No hurry? Kaimei’s jaw nearly dropped in shock. For someone so punctual, the commander’s casual attitude was strange—she glanced at him, hesitant to urge further now that he'd spoken.

"Kaimei," Xingji spoke again.

She answered dutifully.

"Tomorrow, you can no longer remain among the close attendants," he said, his tone cool.

Startled, she wondered if she would be demoted to an ordinary soldier or even sent to prison again. Shivering, she asked in panic, "Sir, have I done something wrong?"

"You’ve done nothing wrong. On the contrary, you’ve done very well," he managed a bitter smile.

Kaimei pondered his words. Was the commander still holding a grudge over her stealing his clothes and giving him laxatives? Such a petty man.

"You’re to go to the Fourteenth Squad," Xingji declared, not allowing her to dwell further.

"What’s the Fourteenth Squad?" she asked curiously.

"The Changeng’s unit. The Fourteenth Death Squad."

"The Death Squad?" Her mind wandered, picturing scenes from police thrillers. Special forces! She exclaimed, "Really? Such an impressive name. It must be exciting!"

Xingji sneered, "Do you know what kind of person Changeng is?"

She shook her head honestly.

"A bloodthirsty, battle-hungry general, always at the front lines, always seeking glory. He commands just over thirty soldiers—each time they return from battle, only two or three survive. In the palace, everyone knows his name, for to be assigned to his unit is to join the death squad—almost certain death."

Kaimei was thunderstruck, listening dumbly before stammering, "You—you’re sending me to die!"

"More or less," Xingji didn’t deny it, even snorting.

"Sir!" She grabbed his sleeve, eyes brimming with tears. "I’ve done nothing to offend you, why—why—"

He let her hold on, calmly saying, "You haven’t wronged me. This is Young Master Dai’s decision."

"Young Master Dai?" She cursed inwardly, thinking how she had tried to help his woman. Why did she never escape Dai Yuheng’s shadow? No matter where she went, she was always schemed against! Even if she hid, he always found a way to put her on the knife’s edge.

Annoyed, she dug her heels into her horse, gripping the reins and letting the animal bolt. Xingji tensed at once, shouting, "What are you doing? Looking for death?" He reached for the reins but missed.

Kaimei galloped ahead, laughing, "Commander, if I break an arm or a leg, can I still go to battle?"

Xingji chased after her, face furious. "Even if you’re crippled, Young Master Dai will carry you onto the battlefield!"

"Damned bastard!" she yelled, turning to him. "What have I done to deserve this? Why can’t I live in peace?" Impulsively, she pulled the plain flower hairpin from her head and stabbed it into the horse’s flank.

Startled and in pain, the horse reared and bolted madly, heedless of road or trees, running blindly. Kaimei couldn’t hold the reins, so she let go, clutching the horse’s neck, eyes shut against the roaring wind. God, if this ends in death, let my soul return home!

Her beloved’s face flashed enlarged in her mind, again and again. Dearest child, Mama is coming home!

Suddenly her waist tightened, her body lifted into the air; opening her eyes, she found herself in someone’s arms. Xingji’s face was pale, left hand gripping the reins, right arm wrapped firmly around her waist. She was transferred onto the commander’s horse, her own already vanished.

"Does such foolishness prove anything?" Xingji thundered, his voice like a storm shaking her ears. "A warhorse is a soldier’s best companion on the battlefield, yet you treat it so!"

Kaimei gritted her teeth, enduring his tightening grip. "Compared to that horse, I’m nothing—a mere pawn!"

Her waist constricted, so tightly she could hardly breathe. She felt the heat of his body behind her, but his voice grew colder: "Soldiers who trample their own lives so lightly, I despise!"

"Despise away!" she retorted, struggling to pry his fingers from her waist. "You’re on Dai Yuheng’s side anyway!"

"Don’t move!" Sensing her intent, he barked.

"I’m suffocating!" She gasped, face purple, "You’re strangling me!"

Realizing his grip was too strong, he relaxed it.

Catching her breath, she adjusted her posture, leaning forward to put distance between them. Xingji didn’t force her closer, and she felt a bit relieved.

The horse walked slowly, as if strolling through the woods. Xingji neither urged it on nor spoke. The more silent he was, the more uneasy Kaimei felt. She had shared a saddle with Ao before, but never felt so awkward.

"Kaimei," after a long silence, Xingji finally spoke, "Some things cannot be avoided. You must face them."

"You must make a choice."

Kaimei listened, dazed by these words that sounded like old proverbs, unable to digest them.

"You may not be wise, but you’re clever enough to adapt to circumstances. On the battlefield, adaptability is paramount. If you can’t defeat the enemy, at least save your own life," he counseled like a parent, and Kaimei stared ahead, speechless.

Survival matters most.

She recalled hearing that somewhere—someone said she was lucky, and that staying alive was most important. At the time, half his face was shadowed, eyes gleaming like diamonds, his tone light as he spoke.

Elsewhere, in a remote corner of the palace, within the cold palace, a tall figure paced restlessly.

An elderly eunuch watched him anxiously, wanting to speak but hesitating.

"Why hasn’t she arrived yet?" The figure approached the tightly closed palace doors, then turned back. The dim wall lamp cast a beam of light over him. He wore a sky-blue robe embroidered with gold and silver threads, his crown perfectly set, two long tassels hanging beside his ears.

He raised his head, sword-like brows and heroic eyes, handsome yet softened by a watery tenderness that diluted much of his masculine air.

"Sire! Sire! She’s here!" The palace door was suddenly pushed open from outside, and a young eunuch called out urgently.

The elder eunuch strode forward, scolding, "Do you want to wake everyone with your shouting?"

The young eunuch quickly covered his mouth, whispering, "The general has arrived!" He stepped aside, and a figure wrapped in a black cloak appeared, removing her hood upon seeing the crowned man.

A beautiful face, luminous eyes, her hair loosely tied at the back—a woman, General Dayin.

"Dayin!" The man’s emotions stirred; he hurried forward and grasped her hand.

Dayin trembled slightly, gently withdrawing her hand.

The elder eunuch signaled to the younger, and both slipped out, closing the palace doors behind them.

Dayin unfastened her cloak, about to bow, "Dayin pays her respects, Sire—"

The Emperor of Tianjue reached out to steady her, "No need for formalities; there’s no one here." He sighed deeply, spreading his arms to draw her into his embrace.

Dayin rested quietly against his chest; they leaned into each other like lovers, intimate and close.

"You’ve grown thin," Tianjue said softly, patting her back. "You’ve suffered."

Dayin replied calmly, "This was always our affair."

"Yes." Tianjue released her, lowering his head. "You found him?"

"Tianlang. He’s at my residence."

Tianjue smiled bitterly, "You know I wasn’t asking about that."

Dayin fell silent. "He’s now my deputy."

"Oh?"

"I happened to hear a female soldier mention seeing half the pendant, so I investigated immediately." Dayin paused, her expression complex. "I saw them... they’re well..."

"That puts my mind at ease," Tianjue said, relieved. "What do you plan to do next?"

Dayin met his gaze fiercely. "What are your plans, Sire?"

Tianjue avoided her eyes. "Dai Huang has incited the officials of the Purple Palace to submit memorials, urging me to reclaim lost territory and pressuring me to go to war with the Southern Palace. I’ve granted his request; in a few days, we’ll mobilize troops." He glanced at her, his tone calm. "You’ll be the commander, Dayin."

Dayin’s expression changed, her voice grave. "I’d heard whispers of this, but didn’t expect it so soon. Dai Huang wants to strike against the Southern Palace now—are we abandoning our plans? Sire, do you not see Dai Huang’s malicious intent?"

Tianjue sighed, "Even if I know, what can I do? In this capital, how many are truly loyal to me? One hand cannot clap alone."

Dayin was silent, bowing her head slightly. "I understand, Sire. I’ll begin preparations immediately."

"Dayin," Tianjue gently covered her hand, his voice tender. "Every campaign fills me with dread, fearing you won’t return unharmed. This time, especially, you must be vigilant—Dai Huang may plot against you in secret."

Dayin smiled faintly. "Rest assured, Sire. Dai Huang has wanted to remove me for a long time, but my fate is stubborn."

Tianjue nodded. "As for Tianlang, while you’re away, hide him well. Don’t let the Dai family find him, or trouble will follow."

"I’ll handle it," Dayin replied, wrapping herself again in her cloak, bowing as she prepared to leave.

"Wait," Tianjue stepped forward, gently embracing her. Dayin quietly accepted his warmth, her icy expression softening slightly as she bowed again and exited the palace.

As the doors closed, mottled shadows played across Tianjue’s gentle face. He suddenly shed his softness, all tenderness vanishing, his gaze fierce. At this moment, his entire being radiated a sovereign’s power, commanding awe.

His sharp eyes pierced through the palace doors, as if following the departing woman’s figure, murmuring, "Is that child truly so important? Dayin..."