Chapter 46

Chapter 46

The sun was high in the sky, and Yaoguang's pillow still retained the warmth of Long Jianlu's body.

Yaoguang had a very long dream, one that encompassed three lifetimes spent with Long Jianlu. In their solitude within the sacred hall, they intertwined in armor as guardians; in the world of cultivation, Long Jianlu unfurled his wings, carrying him to mountain peaks, where they kissed amidst the moist mist, exchanging vows of eternal togetherness. It wasn't until consciousness pulled them back to the night of their wedding, on the small bed between the hanging drapes, that they found themselves in a vast universe.

He awoke to sunlight, the snow outside having ceased, and the world was serene.

Did I get married? I actually got married here?

From that moment on, Long Jianlu became his companion, the transition hasty and swift. It was as if an invisible force propelled Yaoguang forward, gradually drawing him closer to the man.

He sat up in bed, holding the covers, feeling a slight headache.

"Long…" Yaoguang pondered for a moment before correcting himself, "Husband?"

However, he instinctively felt it odd to address him that way, so he quickly changed his words, "Your Majesty!"

Qing Xian's voice echoed from outside, "Empress, there were military affairs to attend to last night. His Majesty has just gone to the imperial study. He said he would return shortly."

"Mm..." Yaoguang searched for his sleepwear amidst the disarray, his garments mixed with Long Jianlu's. However, Qing Xian promptly passed in a clean undergarment from outside the screen, and Yaoguang donned it swiftly before heading out to freshen up.

In the ten days following the grand wedding, both the court and the Imperial City were in a festive mood. The government had declared a holiday, except for urgent matters, officials were exempt from attending court. Yaoguang guessed that Long Jianlu would visit the imperial study early in the morning, likely to discuss significant military intelligence.

"My pendant?" Yaoguang glanced around while dressing.

Qing Xian waited behind the screen.

Yaoguang raised an eyebrow. "?"

Not receiving a response, Yaoguang peered out at Qing Xian and said, "The pendant His Majesty placed on the bedside table last night – fetch it for me."

Bowing low, Qing Xian whispered, "This one will instruct the attendants to locate it immediately."

Yaoguang paused, casting a look at Qing Xian.

"Where is my pendant?" Yaoguang asked again, this time more seriously.

Qing Xian and the other attendants all took a half-step back in unison.

Yaoguang suddenly realized the gravity of the situation. Ignoring his disheveled appearance, he rushed out from behind the screen and glanced at the spot where Long Jianlu had placed the pendant the previous night —

— it was now empty.

A jolt of realization struck Yaoguang, sending a chill down his spine. He struggled to maintain his composure, fighting against the urge to tremble.

"My pendant?" Yaoguang fixed his gaze on Qing Xian, realizing that he must know something!

He attempted to harness his magical powers, but to no avail. It was only natural, for that pendant was the source of all his spells, the sole bridge connecting the world within the book to reality.

Yaoguang maintained his composure, his voice steady as he said, "I'll count to three. Hand it over now, and I'll pretend this never happened. Three... two..."

"What's going on?" Long Jianlu's voice echoed.

Long Jianlu had returned, dressed in simple daily attire. Evidently, he had taken care to present himself well the day after his wedding, holding a small box in hand. Breakfast was already set up in the outer chamber of the Hall of Radiant Light, and Qing Xian, accompanied by the palace attendants, hastily retreated behind the emperor.

Long Jianlu gestured for them to leave, and Qing Xian obediently stepped out of the hall.

Inside the grand hall, Yaoguang stood his ground, awaiting an explanation from Long Jianlu, who approached him.

Yaoguang raised an eyebrow, gesturing at Long Jianlu, "Where did you take my pendant last night?"

Long Jianlu replied, "You are my queen now, there's no need for that trinket."

"What do you mean by that?" Yaoguang responded seriously, "Do you want to argue on our first day of marriage? Give it back!"

Long Jianlu smiled, gazing at Yaoguang.

Yaoguang insisted, "I'm not joking! That pendant has always protected us!"

But Long Jianlu countered, "I can protect you. As your king, it's my duty to safeguard you. I promise, as long as we're together, you'll never be in any danger."

"If war comes?" Yaoguang's face darkened, suddenly realizing something. He sternly said, "Don't play with me, give it back!"

Yaoguang reached out, searching Long Jianlu's body, but Long Jianlu held his wrist firmly.

"I've already thrown it away," Long Jianlu answered.

Explaining further, Long Jianlu said, "I genuinely wish to rely on my own strength to defeat our foes."

He took away the most important thing to me without asking? ! What's the difference between that and robbery?

"Give it back!" Yaoguang was furious, on the verge of losing control. A overwhelming sense of insecurity engulfed him as he grabbed Long Jianlu, yelling, "What right do you have to take it?"

But Long Jianlu remained calm, as if he had anticipated this dispute. Today, he was mentally prepared and didn't engage in a heated argument with Yaoguang. No matter how angry Yaoguang became, Long Jianlu remained unmoved.

Yaoguang was beside himself with rage. He suspected that Long Jianlu had meticulously planned this before their marriage, all to seize his pendant!

"I just want to remind you of your promise to me," Long Jianlu said earnestly. "You agreed when I asked. I guessed that the pendant is the source of your magic. With it, you can fly through the heavens and move freely, capable of anything. But to set it aside and live an ordinary life with me, experiencing human joys and sorrows, that's what gives life meaning. You nodded, I've seen it countless times in my dreams. Whenever it shines, you vanish, never to return."

Yaoguang spoke calmly, "Give it back, I promise you, I won't use magic anymore. Isn't that enough?"

Long Jianlu replied patiently, "If you're willing not to use magic, then what difference does it make whether you have it or not?"

"Hand it over!" Yaoguang roared.

The people outside the hall trembled, while inside the Radiant Palace, silence reigned.

Yaoguang shook with anger, fist raised, ready to strike Long Jianlu. But Long Jianlu stood up, his stature and aura imposing. He tried to embrace Yaoguang, saying, "I love you, Yaoguang."

"Scram – !" Yaoguang pushed Long Jianlu away with all his might, bellowing at him, "You good-for-nothing! Long Jianlu! Our relationship is over!"

Long Jianlu merely looked at Yaoguang quietly, a hint of sorrow in his eyes.

"Do you think I won't leave?" Yaoguang's eyes reddened with anger as he spoke to Long Jianlu, "Do you think by throwing away my pendant, you have the upper hand?!"

Long Jianlu finally spoke, "This is fate's decree, Yaoguang. You belong to me. You can never return to where you came from in this lifetime. I don't ask about your past, I only care about our future. You promised me yourself that you would stay by my side, experience life in this mortal world together, and face death hand in hand..."

"Get lost!" Yaoguang roared, "I never want to see you again! scram!"

Long Jianlu stepped forward again, attempting to soothe Yaoguang. He pressed a small box into his hand, but Yaoguang repeatedly pushed it away. Eventually, unable to bear it any longer, he violently slammed the box onto Long Jianlu's head, unleashing all his fury. "Get out! I never want to see you again, ever!"

The box smashed open, its contents spilling out and shattering on the ground with a clink, breaking into several pieces and rolling under cabinets and tables.

It was the jade branch pendant that Long Jianlu's mother had left him, the very same one he had personally given to Yaoguang as a token of their affection when he took Yaoguang back to the palace.

Silent, Long Jianlu bent down to pick up the box, looking at Yaoguang with sorrow in his eyes.

"I'll come back when you've calmed down," Long Jianlu said.

No matter how furious Yaoguang raged, Long Jianlu remained unmoved. It was as if Yaoguang was throwing punches at thin air. Long Jianlu left the Hall of Radiant Light and turned to close the door behind him.

A loud crash echoed within the chamber. Frustrated, Yaoguang overturned tables and smashed numerous decorations within the hall.

Long Jianlu took a few steps, then sat down on one side of the corridor. Outside the palace hall, all the attendants knelt in silence, too afraid to make a sound as they listened to the continuous smashing of objects inside – vases shattering, shelves toppling.

After a long while, when Yaoguang had demolished his own bridal chamber into a mess, his rage finally subsided.

I'm trapped here, Yaoguang thought to himself. Long Jianlu has hidden my pendant. In this vast world, if the emperor truly wants to conceal something, there's no way I could easily find it.

Taking deep breaths, Yaoguang knew that tearing apart the entire palace would be pointless now. Exhausted, he sat down and gazed into the mirror, seeing a madman staring back at him.

What should I do? He kept pondering. His feelings for Long Jianlu were a mix of love and hate. To deny loving him would be a lie, but being betrayed by someone he cared for without any defense only fueled his anger. If he regained the pendant right now, he would surely retaliate against Long Jianlu without mercy.

Yet, he could do nothing... Suddenly, fear gripped Yaoguang. What if someone attempts to assassinate me? Yu Qingsong, whom he had treated harshly, might seek revenge. The people outside already knew his greatest vulnerability. Once the news spreads...

The door creaked open, startling Yaoguang. He looked up at the incoming palace attendants.

Qing Xian lowered his head and began cleaning up. He climbed onto a cabinet corner, carefully picking up the shattered jade branches and trembling as he tried to piece them back together.

"Why are you crying?" Yaoguang's voice carried a subtle threat.

Qing Xian immediately shook his head, wiping away his tears. He continuously kowtowed to Yaoguang, his voice trembling as he pleaded, "Your Majesty, the Empress, please calm your anger... Please calm your anger..."

Yaoguang was too drained to unleash more fury. As the palace servants tidied up the chamber, she simply watched in a daze.

After a moment, he yanked down all the red curtains, flinging them onto the ground.

"Tell your emperor," Yaoguang said solemnly, "that I want a divorce. From now on, I will not see him again."

How dare Qing Xian convey such a message? Upon hearing this, he cowered on the floor, too scared to utter a sound.

Long Jianlu had not ventured far. Hearing the words exchanged within the chamber, he roared in anger after a brief pause.

"Get out!"

Qing Xian finished arranging everything and retreated with the palace attendants. Long Jianlu maintained his gaze on the entrance, waiting until midday when Qing Xian finally went in for a brief glance.

Long Jianlu raised an eyebrow in inquiry, and Qing Xian whispered softly, "The Empress has retired to sleep."

Silently nodding, Long Jianlu observed as Qing Xian cleared away the uneaten food. The meal had barely been touched.

As snow began to fall in the afternoon, Long Jianlu continued sitting in the corridor reading. The Glorious Light Palace's doors were open, but he didn't approach. Qing Xian delivered a food tray inside and later retrieved it at dusk, yet Yaoguang remained untouched by it all.

When night fell and lamps were lit, Long Jianlu finally rose to his feet and entered the Glorious Light Palace. There, he found Yaoguang sitting in front of the hall, lost in thought as the sky outside grew darker by the minute.

"Serve the meal," Long Jianlu instructed.

Yaoguang didn't even glance at Long Jianlu, as still as a statue.

Long Jianlu asked, "Aren't you hungry?"

Yaoguang replied in a deep voice, "Unless you retrieve my pendant for me."

Long Jianlu pressed on, "Don't you love me anymore?"

Yaoguang didn't respond. Long Jianlu, with sincerity, said, "Even if you no longer love me, I still do, and I will forever. I believe you'll accept that."

Yaoguang finally turned his head to look at Long Jianlu.

"Give me back the pendant," Yaoguang said.

Long Jianlu replied, "Even if I wanted to, I couldn't now."

Yaoguang's breath caught in his throat. Long Jianlu continued, "I had it thrown into the sea."

Staring blankly at Long Jianlu, Yaoguang was lost in thought. Long Jianlu added, "You've never told me anything about your past. I had no way of knowing its significance, and could only speculate about its purpose..."

"Why did you do this?" Yaoguang felt an overwhelming sadness. The panic of losing the pendant paled in comparison to the deception he'd suffered at Long Jianlu's hands. Tears streamed down his face, and he began to cry.

Seeing Yaoguang cry, Long Jianlu was initially at a loss, but he steeled himself and tried to approach, reaching out to comfort him. However, Yaoguang pushed him away fiercely.

"You'll come around eventually," Long Jianlu said.

Yaoguang entered the inner chamber, and Long Jianlu followed. Yaoguang grabbed a vase, shattering it, then held onto the broken shards, his gaze filled with hatred as he stared at Long Jianlu.

"I won't be with you anymore," Yaoguang said solemnly. "Unless you kill me, I will leave you."

Long Jianlu fell silent for a moment before he said, "I'll be outside. Call me when you're ready."

With that, Long Jianlu left the inner chamber and sat in the outer room, displaying great patience as if he knew that Yaoguang would eventually let go. He opened the box to find the jade branch broken into several pieces.

Qing Xian arrived with attendants to clear the table, while Long Jianlu, by the candlelight, began repairing his mother's keepsake.

Qing Xian also tried to help Yaoguang change his clothes, but was promptly dismissed.

As the night deepened, Long Jianlu, after mending the jade branch with adhesive, fell asleep on the desk.

In the still of the night, Yaoguang emerged from the inner chamber, seeing Long Jianlu's back view.

For a long time, he stood there in silence, then retreated back into his quarters.

Thus passed their first day as newlyweds.

In the days following the grand wedding ceremony, Long Jianlu spent most of his time in the Guanghua Palace, both day and night, attending to only a few urgent state affairs that required his attention. Yaoguang, however, remained steadfast in his defiance.

He attempted to use starvation as a threat against Long Jianlu, who, standing behind the screen that separated the inner and outer chambers, earnestly told him:

"You can starve yourself all you want, but it won't force me to give in. Even if I wanted to, there's no way I could retrieve your pendant for you now."

In the inner chamber, Yaoguang sighed deeply. Yes, if it truly disappeared on its own, then fasting or threatening suicide would be futile.

He was so hungry that his head spun, but he finally ate something. However, he still refused to engage Long Jianlu in conversation, not even looking at him directly. Long Jianlu, on the other hand, would periodically offer an olive branch, asking, "Are you cold? Can I come in?" or "Yaoguang, come take a look at this."

Yaoguang didn't accept any of these gestures, but his resolve was gradually weakening. After two more days, his defenses were slowly crumbling. Amidst his random thoughts, he began to believe that if he couldn't return to the real world, it wouldn't be such a significant loss... After all, his life there had been miserable, whereas in the book he created, he could be a queen with a lover who adored him and would do anything for him.

What difference does it make where I spend my life? Would it be worse back in reality? No! I can't think like that! When Yaoguang realized his defenses were weakening, he felt a great sense of danger. He summoned what little hatred he had left for Long Jianlu, forcing himself to despise him. Was this about where to spend his life? This was blatant deception!

...Am I really going to give up the pendant? Yaoguang questioned himself, realizing he had never truly understood himself. The three lives he had shared with Long Jianlu made him reflect on who he really was.

Through the curtains, he gazed at Long Jianlu in the outer chamber. It was their honeymoon period, a time when even the emperor could abstain from court duties. They should have been spending every day together intimately.

Looking at Long Jianlu's profile, Yaoguang felt both the urge to punch him and kiss him. The mixture of love and hate directed at the same person was driving him mad.

"Yaoguang, come take a look?" Long Jianlu rose and approached the partition, saying, "Jiangnan is implementing new reforms this year. Here's a report from the governor of Jiangnan. I thought we could travel south together and see it for ourselves. Would you like that?"

Every time Long Jianlu ventured close to the forbidden topic, Yaoguang would typically shout, "Get out!" Surprisingly, he didn't this time. Sensing a positive sign, Long Jianlu held out a golden folder and moved closer, saying, "You'll love Jiangnan. We can take a big ship down the canal; it's less likely to make you seasick."

Yaoguang sat in silence, hearing Long Jianlu's voice from outside.

"Are you still angry?" Long Jianlu asked. "Please don't be, alright?"

Advancing half a step closer to the inner chamber, Yaoguang caught a faint outline of him and thought: Forget it, what's done is done. It's not so bad here, whereas the real world is more like hell.

"I'm not going!" Yaoguang roared.

Long Jianlu pushed aside the curtain and entered. "Fine, if you don't want to go, then we won't."

Yaoguang lifted his gaze to meet Long Jianlu's.

Seated at a low table before the couch, Long Jianlu said, "We haven't even properly celebrated our wedding yet."

Yaoguang's resolve wavered, but he forced himself not to give in, turning away to avoid eye contact.

With a sorrowful look, Long Jianlu spoke, "Yaoguang, for some reason, I have this feeling, like a memory, that you were once willing to give everything for me, even your own life, without hesitation."

Yaoguang stared blankly at Long Jianlu, recalling the day when he was still a Grand Knight in the apocalypse, losing his priest and carrying him off into the endless snowy wilderness.

"I always imagined that's what a 'priest' should be like..."

Long Jianlu started to speak but then fell silent, eventually sighing.

"You agreed to marry me," Long Jianlu continued, "was it just a fleeting impulse? Did you not truly think it through?"

"No," Yaoguang replied.

Long Jianlu: "Do you still love me?"

At that moment, Yaoguang resolved to confront his true feelings.

"Yes," Yaoguang said coldly, "I still love you, because it's beyond my control; but I also hate you."

A subtle change appeared on Long Jianlu's face as his furrowed brows relaxed.

Just then, Qing Xian hurried in and whispered, "Your Majesty... there's an urgent military matter."

Long Jianlu turned to look, addressing Yaoguang, "I'll be right back."

Long Jianlu had almost reached a reconciliation, only to be interrupted by military affairs. Today, Yaoguang no longer wished to engage in a silent war. He suspected that Long Jianlu hadn't discarded his pendant but had merely hidden it away.

Exiting the inner chamber, he felt exhausted. Gazing at the snow outside, he pondered how such absurd and infuriating events could unfold during the most significant period of his life. Was he truly destined to spend eternity within this book's world? Yaoguang constantly compared reality with this realm, trying to discern what was real and what was illusory.

He caught the scent of plum blossoms in the palace garden, felt the texture of window lattices, door frames, tables, and chairs, heard the chime of evening bells, and sensed the chill of freshly fallen snow. Everything seemed so vividly real.

Bending down, he scooped up snow, kneading it in his palm until his hand turned red from the cold.

"Empress," Yu Qingsong approached from the corridor.

In front of Yu Qingsong, Yaoguang felt a bit intimidated, fearing revenge, but Yu Qingsong didn't seem to have such intentions—his status had changed.

"Greetings, Empress." Yu Qingsong bowed first before continuing, "I apologize for the intrusion, but there is an urgent military report today..."

"What is it?" Yaoguang asked.

"The State of Yan has dispatched a massive army to invade our territory," Yu Qingsong reported. "Three days ago, General Zheng Jia led our forces to confront them but was surrounded at Mount Yuesong Ridge."

"Are you asking me to rescue him?" Yaoguang inquired.

"No," Yu Qingsong replied. "His Majesty is determined to lead the troops personally. No one in the imperial study can dissuade him. I merely thought that perhaps the Empress might be able to persuade His Majesty to stay."

Yaoguang, having changed into fresh attire, arrived before the imperial study and overheard a heated argument unfolding within. Xie Hong exclaimed, "His Majesty has only recently been wed; how can he possibly lead an army into battle? It is utterly unacceptable!"

"Hostilities in Province Qi have just subsided..." came the voice of Long Jianlu, "Flying Wolf must remain to safeguard the capital. Besides a campaign led by myself, who else could be sent? The Kingdom of Xian stands as the final obstacle to our Great Qi's unification of the land. Once this external foe is vanquished, eternal glory for generations to come is within our grasp..."

Yaoguang pushed the door open and entered, catching the attention of all the generals and Du Li together.

"The Queen's timing is impeccable," Du Li said. "His Majesty, under any circumstances, would..."

"Let him go if he wishes to," Yaoguang said, locking eyes with Long Jianlu.

Long Jianlu declared, "Xian Kingdom, daring to invade during my nuptials, should well anticipate their inevitable defeat and annihilation. My decision is final; further discussion is unnecessary. Jiang Xun shall continue as the military supervisor. Armies shall be assembled tonight, and we march at dawn tomorrow!"

Yaoguang had more to say—that it would be best if he perished on the battlefield—but with the imperial study filled with officials, he held his tongue.

On that night, Long Jianlu returned to the Radiant Palace and inquired, "Yaoguang?"

Yaoguang lay in bed, still nursing his resentment.

Long Jianlu: "I have confidence that I can resolve this war within a month."

Yaoguang faced the wall, not responding.

Long Jianlu: "Can I sleep in bed?"

"No," Yaoguang replied coldly.

"It's almost time to march tomorrow," Long Jianlu continued. "Won't you stay with me?"

Yaoguang didn't answer, so Long Jianlu said, "Then I'll lie down on the floor beside the bed."

Thus, the emperor slept clothed by the bedside, and Yaoguang dozed off without realizing it. When the morning bell rang the next day, he heard Long Jianlu whispering in his ear, "Empress, I'm going to war."

Half-awake and annoyed by the disturbance, Yaoguang grumbled, "Get lost!"

The sound of footsteps faded away, and Yaoguang didn't even bother to open his eyes. After an indeterminate time, he heard the voice again.

"Yaoguang, I love you," Long Jianlu's voice echoed.

Yaoguang abruptly sat up, but outside the tent, the clatter of armor echoed, soon followed by the blowing of trumpets beyond the palace walls – the grand army must have set off.

The palace fell eerily silent once the emperor left, punctuated only by occasional bird calls.

As Yaoguang enjoyed his brunch, he now slept as he pleased, basking in the midday sun. As the queen, he could have halted the morning bell at any time, but he had grown accustomed to its sound.

Just as he had grown used to the chiming of the morning bell, he had also adapted to the presence of Long Jianlu. Today, with Long Jianlu away on campaign, the desk beside him felt strangely empty.

"Your Highness," Qing Xian opened the door, coordinating the cleaning, "General Chen requests an audience."

"Let him in," Yaoguang instructed.

Chen Feilang entered the chamber, clad in the formal uniform of the Imperial Guard, a golden-red ensemble that accentuated his youthful, handsome features, making him appear every bit the dashing royal guard.

"Like drought-stricken land welcoming rain, or a stranger finding a familiar face in a foreign land," Chen Feilang began.

Yaoguang responded absentmindedly, "As joyous as a wedding night, or the moment one's name is inscribed on the golden list of success."

Chen Feilang asked, "How have your married days been? The emperor's physique and martial prowess are renowned within the military."

Yaoguang cast a glance at Chen Feilang, clearly unaware of the theft of his pendant outside.

"Serve General Chen some food," Yaoguang instructed.

"Are we sneaking out to join the military campaign again today?" Chen Feilang asked. "I can make the arrangements."

"No need," Yaoguang replied.

Chen Feilang seemed about to speak but held back. Yaoguang knew this man had sensed something.

"Was it because His Majesty has hidden your talisman?" Chen Feilang ventured finally. "May I ask that?"

A sense of peril washed over Yaoguang. He remained silent, studying Chen Feilang closely.

"He said he threw it into the sea," Yaoguang noted a detail—although not too far from Province Yong, the coast was still a two or three day journey away. It would be impossible for Long Jianlu to dispose of the pendant himself after taking it. The only plausible explanation was that he had entrusted the task to someone close. Could it have been Chen Feilang?

In other words, did he know where the pendant had been discarded?

"Did His Majesty say as much?" Chen Feilang responded.

"What do you mean?" Yaoguang was stunned, deeply suspicious of another possibility. His voice trembled as he asked, "He didn't throw it away?"

Chen Feilang smiled but remained silent.

Yaoguang quickly followed up, "Where is it? You must know where!'

Chen Feilang replied, "I don't know, I really don't."

Yaoguang put down the food basket and muttered to himself, "It must be somewhere in the palace. Now I feel like he didn't throw it away!"

Chen Feilang asked, "Is this pendant that important to you?"

"Of course!" Yaoguang said. "It's... It's..."

Chen Feilang looked at Yaoguang, who promptly changed his words, "It's the support for my magic and the most important thing to me."

Chen Feilang responded, "Perhaps the Emperor hopes you can live a good life as a mortal. Are you sure you want to retrieve it?"

Yaoguang answered, "Help me find it, Feilang. I'll repay you."

Chen Feilang fell silent for a moment before responding, "No need for repayment. You saved General Xie on my behalf. This is what I should have done. It's just... I think you'd better consider your actions carefully."

"I've thought it through very clearly," Yaoguang replied.

"Alright then," Chen Feilang sighed and said, "The day after the wedding, I recall His Majesty returned to the imperial study and stayed in there for a while... Empress!"

Yaoguang immediately understood and rushed towards the imperial study.

"Where could it be?" Yaoguang began searching through the room. There were no locked cabinets, only shelves filled with books and various decorations. Why hadn't he kept the pendant secured?

Chen Feilang followed him in and closed the door behind them, gesturing to the guards outside not to let anyone enter.

Yaoguang casually opened a drawer, and right in the middle, the pendant was unharmed, lying within.

Yaoguang: "!!!"

He swiftly picked it up, disbelief etched on his face.

"He left such an important item in a desk drawer?!" Yaoguang exclaimed. "Is Long Jianlu a fool?!"

Chen Feilang replied, "I suspect His Majesty didn't think about hiding it. He just believed that you wouldn't come looking for it, or perhaps, that you would be willing to forsake it for His Majesty?"

Yaoguang remained silent, his hands trembling as he glanced at Chen Feilang, instinctively wanting to return the pendant to the drawer.

This action would determine the course of his life.

Chen Feilang didn't intervene, merely watching Yaoguang in silence.

Scenes from the past flashed before them, like a montage of their shared experiences. The moments etched into memory, the fleeting instants when they entrusted their lives to each other despite imperfections.

In the end, Yaoguang decided to wear the pendant.