Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
The capital was adorned with splendor, yet the Beloved One stood alone in her desolation.
On the day of the Subjugation Conference, as Sang Qin quietly blended into the crowd, watching that extraordinary woman on stage, the one he had devoted himself to, he couldn't help but think of those words.
********************************************
"Consort, do you know your crime?" The Emperor suddenly addressed me as I slightly bowed. Ever since he told me I didn't have to kneel, I had no need to bow before anyone in this world.
I still remembered the seriousness in his eyes when he said those words: "An Jin, there is no one in this world worthy of your kneeling. No one is qualified." Since then, he had never asked me to kneel again.
I looked at him in confusion, not understanding what he meant, but I still replied softly, "This servant does not know."
He smiled lightly. "As my Consort, you disguise yourself as a man and deceive me."
I could sense that there was no blame in his tone, only tolerance, as if he were merely stating a fact.
I raised my head to look at him earnestly for a moment, then suddenly straightened up and walked toward him, kneeling respectfully before him.
He was taken aback and immediately reached out to help me up.
I stepped back, avoiding his hand, and called out gently, "Your Majesty, please do not!"
He stood there in stunned silence.
To bow for something worthy would not leave me lacking, I thought.
On the contrary, a sudden sense of relief washed over my heart. I had finally fulfilled my promise.
With that thought, I closed my eyes for a moment and then opened them again, filled with determination and resolve: "As a humble representative of Jun Jin, I vow to follow Your Majesty for eternity. May Your Majesty enjoy boundless longevity, and may the Jin State endure through the ages."
Jun Jin represented the lifeblood of this nation. The Jin Kingdom could never reveal itself to the world again, but Jun Jin could. Jun Jin symbolized wealth—supreme wealth that even a nation could not rival. To obtain such wealth would surely be beneficial for him.
If you were to be the emperor, I would offer you all the riches of the world.
That promise came back to me. In fact, ever since I had fainted that day and awakened, I had recalled too many things—too many memories that made me nostalgic yet unable to cherish them more deeply.
Because loving me would drag you down to hell alongside me. Such love, I would rather not have. Although I still could not remember why I had acted as I did back then, why I willingly took the High Priestess's Forgetfulness Pill, those fragmented memories were slowly beginning to piece together. They formed images clear enough for me to recognize who this person was.
"Little Jin..." Sima Rui gazed blankly at the person kneeling at his feet. Suddenly moved, tears welled up in his eyes.
Was she doing this to declare her complete submission before the world? Or was it...
Sima Rui's expression softened as he walked toward her with a smile in his eyes. After waiting for so many years, thinking about her for so long, loving her for so long, hearing her say this today was enough—enough for a lifetime.
**********************************************************************
A woman draped in blood-red attire lay quietly on the ground, her face calm and unruffled, betraying no hint of distress or humiliation. It seemed as if she was born with an elegance and serenity that made it impossible for anyone to look away from her.
Why did such women exist in this world? Why were there such unparalleled beauties? Why did someone so ethereal seem to leave an indelible mark on everyone's hearts as if they were not of this earthly realm?
In the crowd, an elderly man in gray stared expressionlessly at this woman in red, who resembled the man he cared for in his memories, dressed in seductive crimson. They truly looked alike; despite one being a man and the other a woman, they bore an uncanny resemblance.
Proudly standing in the world, coldly observing the warmth and chill of life, possessing an unparalleled beauty, having endured far too much, intertwining indifference with kindness, and wearing countless masks that left others unable to understand or see through.
The old man quietly closed his eyes. "Ruo Er, if this world no longer has you, then you will no longer suffer. Your heart belongs to someone else; you would never walk away with me. Ruo Er, do not blame your father."
He thought that even though he bore the Emotional Curse, as long as she was dead, he would slowly forget this woman. As long as he never fell in love with another woman again, never felt any emotion, then even if there was no solution, he could still continue to live.
She must die. The old man opened his eyes, resembling a Night Wolf, fixating intensely on his prey.
He watched the equally remarkable man as he slowly approached the kneeling woman with a smile.
Suddenly, everything changed.
In a flash of wind and thunder, it felt as if time had stopped; the clash of blades and swords came rushing in, creating a suffocating atmosphere.
Under the sunlight, a blinding light flashed as a long sword lunged directly at the kneeling figure.
"Young Master, be careful." The overwhelming killing intent and Wind Sound suddenly appeared beside him, causing Song Kong to instinctively look up. In that moment, he saw an inconspicuous Gray-Clad Elder leap through the tightly packed crowd and rush onto the stage. Song Kong shouted in alarm.
He must have been prepared; otherwise, their meticulously arranged defensive net could not have been breached so easily. Or perhaps this Gray-Clad Elder was exceptionally skilled and should not be underestimated.
Song Kong's shout drew Sima Rui's attention to the glaring blade. He looked toward An Jin, who was just a few steps away, his eyes slowly filling with fear and panic.
The kneeling figure heard the cry and suddenly turned her head, frozen in place as she stared blankly at the sharp sword poised to take her life just within reach.
The sword was ready to strike, mercilessly aimed at her left chest—the weak spot that could end her life in an instant.
Without any hesitation, kneeling on the ground, Song Kong and Little Seven rushed towards the woman, wanting to block this deadly strike for her.
But it was too late.
"Young Master—" Little Seven cried out in heart-wrenching despair.
"Mother!" A childish yet calm voice suddenly came from a corner. A small figure dashed out from a short distance away; it was Xiao Yi Jun, who had also come to plan this grand event. She had been quietly watching her mother from backstage, but upon witnessing this perilous scene, her mind went blank as if submerged in water. Her first instinct was to rush forward. Her mother was the most important person in her life; she could not lose her!
The sword drew closer, its force immense, its speed astonishing, and its viciousness left everyone gasping in shock. The old man seemed to be risking his life, all his preparations aimed at this lethal blow.
Sima Rui's mind went blank—countries, beauties, subjects, territory… everything faded away from his consciousness, drifting far from his reason. He merely stared at the increasingly near twisted and ferocious face of the old man and that sword.
Everything seemed to vanish from his world; he could neither hear nor see anything. Before his mind could react, his body instinctively moved forward, pulling her up from the ground and holding her tightly as if to embed her into himself, making her a part of him.
He held her close, disregarding everything else, gazing at her still dazed expression as if she hadn’t fully grasped what was happening. He smiled faintly and whispered in her ear, "I love you."
Blood splattered! Pain spread!
A strange sound echoed—it was the sound of flesh being pierced. When Sima Rui's body was impaled by the sword, he felt a sharp pain and then spat out a mouthful of fresh blood that splattered onto An Jin's hair. The crimson on her pale face made her already striking appearance even more alluring.
An Jin froze; her previously unfocused eyes finally regained clarity as she found a focal point. Slowly turning her head, she saw Sima Rui’s deeply affectionate gaze and felt her mind clear at last.
"Why?" An Jin murmured. At that moment, she could find no words to continue. Wasn’t he using her? Wasn’t he employing her body to shield himself from danger? Why now…
Leaning weakly against her frail shoulder, he closed his eyes. "All I want is you. The country, even my life—everything becomes meaningless without you. Little Jin, this is the only truth Brother Sima has understood during these five years without you." Sima Rui spoke with difficulty, his smile bitter.
"Why?" Tears began to stream down An Jin's face, yet she stubbornly asked the question, her expression dazed.
Blood trickled from the corners of his mouth, his vision blurred, and his voice was weak, as if he had lost all strength. "How many people in this world truly know why? An Jin, my An Jin, perhaps long ago, I was already infatuated with you." Yet Sima Rui's lips still curled into a smile.
"Why?" An Jin repeated softly. This question seemed to be directed at him, at the sky, at the world. Why must it be so cruel, forcing her to recall that merciless curse once more?
Her heart began to ache inch by inch, corroding her thoughts and her soul.
She longed to howl at the heavens, to laugh at the madness of this world.
To mock the heavens for their folly and arrogance!
"Why?" Tears poured out like a dam breaking. Droplets fell to the ground, mingling with the blood flowing from him—a desperate attachment that felt like water merging into one.
"You are so foolish. I can't remember anything about you. Why do you still have to be so foolish..." Suddenly, as she spoke through her tears, she quietly smiled.
That smile was light and carefree, yet it carried a determination akin to Phoenix Nirvana.
It left Song Kong, who had rushed forward to seize the old man, along with Lian, Little Seven, and Xiao Yi Jun in shock. That kind of beauty seemed to bloom suddenly without fear.
An Jin suddenly calmed herself and said, "Promise me, you must not die; otherwise, I will die before you." As she spoke, she slowly reached behind him and firmly grasped the sword. With a fierce thrust, the blade pierced through his body and into hers. They were bound together in life and death.
"Don't! Young Master!" The others behind them exclaimed in panic, but they could not stop what was happening.
An Jin's bloodied lips broke into a stunning smile. In his wide-open eyes filled with pain and despair, she said softly, "Don't die; otherwise, I will be before you."
Then the two could no longer support each other's bodies and fell back into an embrace.
He finally understood that this woman, in every aspect of her being, was someone he loved with his life. Everything seemed destined; he loved her, he deeply loved her. There was no escaping it, nor could he let her go.
She was the most beautiful calamity of his life, one that would span across lifetimes.
Just before losing consciousness, An Jin struggled as if she wanted to kill the old man and shouted, "Song Kong, don't hurt him." Then a wave of intense pain washed over her, and she peacefully closed her eyes. Because he was by her side, she felt no fear.
Heaven, if you wish to punish me, An Jin, then I shall see if I can overcome this calamity!
Darkness enveloped her, but a smile graced her lips. If that punishment were real, then I would shatter it with my death. I will make sure that your prophecies do not come true! They cannot touch me, An Jin!
***********************
For those with questions, the next chapter will reveal why. Some mysteries will also be unraveled.
Comment 0 Comment Count