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Zhan Beiye contemplated… And contemplated, pacing around the room as he contemplated without being able to escape.

He repeatedly thought, under what circumstances would they reunite? In the palace hall? On the streets? Or the original residence? In what ways would they meet? Would she welcome him with a smile, or would he rush forward, smiling?

There were even a couple of times where he woke up in cold sweat, determined to fight his way back to the capital, only to be stopped by his subordinates—that night, he had dreamed that she was dead, kneeling down on the floor with blood all over. She attempted to draw something on the ground with the blood, then, collapsed.

He did not fall back asleep, sitting in the courtyard, hugging his knees as he watched the moon till sunrise.

In another dream, he dreamt that she disappeared and did not wait for him at the capital. He woke up and stared blankly at the wall. Perhaps, this was something that she could possibly do. Then, would he look for her after attacking the capital? Or would he just not attack?

The next day, he saw the Black Wind Calvary knights and saw the single-arm Ji Yu. He once again resumed his journey. A man had a man's responsibility. Some things could not be up to him and his whims.

Now… After a long six months, he finally saw her. The moment he saw her, he felt that his longing for her amounted to nothing. The longing that tormented him day and night, compared to this moment, was as thin as a piece of paper. Seeing her was like being struck by lighting and like looking at her made him want to rush over without a care. Her figure, to him, was an oasis to a soldier dying of thirst in a desert. He had to go over even if it meant climbing; regardless of death.

And so, he really went over, waving his golden spear, between the rain of arrows and the clashing of swords.

But Meng Fuyao gently put her thumb up.

She welcomed that person that was far away, yet one could still feel his burning gaze as he lifted his index and middle finger, forming a scissor.

”Victory!”

Zhan Beiye stopped and looked at her in shock. At this point, Meng Fuyao had already turned her back to him as she watched Xie Yu force the families of the commander-in-chief up.

Those weak women and young men were tied up and pushed onto the city wall by the guards.

Xie Yu grabbed a woman, lifted his shield, and yelled, ”Zhan Beiye, these are the families of the two Commanders-in-Chief, Jin Yan, Ming Lun!”

The ferociously attacking soldiers abruptly stopped their attack. They turned back in fear as Zhan Beiye's face turned black, slowly raising his hand up.

Xie Yu's lips curled up as he leaned out and shouted, ”The two commanders-in-chief have followed you from the very beginning. They accompanied you through battles thousands of miles away. For you, they abandoned the riches they could have enjoyed, and instead, they have their blood splattered on the grounds you've fought. Now that their families are here on the city walls, if you dare to order an attack, I will immediately finish them off. I'll let you guys from the north understand that this renegade that you guys have given your loyalty to is nothing but a cold, emotionless traitor!”

The yells gradually stopped. The cold wind blew as the fire torch lit like the stars in the sky. Everyone's eyes were directed to the center of the crowd, the silent and handsome man.

Thousands of soldiers remained silent as they waited for one to make his tough choice.

Xie Yu held a sword against a woman's throat and commanded, ”Retreat!”

Zhan Beiye, with his gaze of steel, stared straight at Xie Yu.

Xie Yu remained unmoved as he tightened his grip around the sword.

”Retreat! Tie up yourself and come up! Otherwise, you'll be a sinner in everyone's eyes!”

Zhan Beiye slowly raised his head and looked at the city walls. His black robe fluttered with the wind as his handsome face resembled a jade sculpture under the blazing sun. With unswerving determination, he looked at the weak men and women on the city walls, looked at the calm Meng Fuyao, and finally, slowly, took a step back.

This step back was of great significance!

Joy and excitement could be reflected in Xie Yu's eyes.

Sha!

The gleam of light reflected off the sword.

It was as though a white flood dragon had descended from the skies above to the human realm to have its fill of human blood!

A silver flash suddenly came out of the ”weak girl from the commander-in-chief's family”. The flash was sharp, fierce, and quick as it very swiftly and accurately shot through the middle of Xie Yu's forehead.

Blood slowly dripped down from his forehead, forming a steady stream of blood falling on the ground. The body of Xie Yu remained forever frozen on the walls of the city.

His final feelings of joy had forever stopped at the instant where Zhan Beiye had taken a step back. His expression right before his death was a mixture of shock and joy, resulting in an odd smile.

He slowly let go and took one last glance at the person.

Meng Fuyao.

That young lad placed one of his hand on the walls as he smiled at him in the calmest, serene way possible, while his guards stood behind him.

That gaze, he finally understood everything before he died.

In the end… they lost…

Their dynasty… had ended.

This was the last thought Xie Yu had before his death.