CHAPTER 4

Yi Qiancheng gripped the dagger and thrust downward, stopping just before piercing Lian Sheng’s right eye. With an air of indifference, he twisted his wrist and began slowly wiping the tiny smear of blood off the blade.

In that moment, Lian Sheng had no time to react. Her instincts should have made her close her eyes, but Yi Qiancheng’s smile was too deceiving. The relief she had just felt tightened into a knot, and an icy dread swept over her, enveloping her in an indescribable terror.

Although Yi Qiancheng had been smiling, he had struck out suddenly to harm her. The hope she had barely grasped was cruelly shattered again. It was like a sharp thorn stabbing into her—not unbearably painful, but the process of witnessing it being driven in was bone-chilling.

In that instant, her scalp tingled, her pupils contracted sharply, and the tension in her mind reached its breaking point.

Even after Yi Qiancheng withdrew the dagger, Lian Sheng couldn’t pull herself out of this state. No matter how clever or brave she was, she was still just a sixteen-year-old girl. Her situation was dire: her elder brother’s life was constantly at risk on the battlefield; her father was utterly biased against her; her younger siblings wished her ill; and her hometown was caught in the chaos of war. She had staked her own happiness just to borrow troops from Yi Qiancheng, only to find herself reduced to a pawn in his twisted game.

She hadn’t even had a chance to challenge him and had already brushed shoulders with death twice.

Tears suddenly welled up uncontrollably in Lian Sheng’s wide eyes.

“That’s more like it. You look much better crying than smiling.” Yi Qiancheng used the now-clean dagger to lift her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. Watching her cry seemed to amuse him greatly.

“So even the Lian family’s blood is red, and they can cry.” As Lian Sheng’s tears slid down her cheeks, Yi Qiancheng reached out to catch one. The tear was still warm but gradually cooled in his palm. His tone carried a trace of discovery, as though he had stumbled upon something fascinating: “Oh, even your tears are warm.”

“Dear husband,” Lian Sheng blinked her sore eyes, letting a few more tears fall from her red-rimmed gaze. “Whatever expression you like to see on me, I’ll gladly show it to you—but you’ve really scared me.”

She couldn’t afford to take Yi Qiancheng, a madman who didn’t play by the rules, too seriously. She couldn’t let herself be entirely controlled and defeated by him upon their first meeting—after all, Yidong was still counting on her.

Yi Qiancheng hated her. It didn’t matter if he mocked or tormented her; after all, the Lian family had been so cold and heartless back then. Lian Sheng comforted herself: don’t be afraid, stick to the plan. The more fear she showed, the more excited Yi Qiancheng would likely become.

When she cried earlier, there had even been a glint of excitement in his eyes.

Lian Sheng tried to fill her gaze with affection, looking at Yi Qiancheng as if she were staring at the love of her life. Tears still streaked her face, but she had stopped crying. Her emotions quickly stabilized, and her mind raced. Sure enough, Yi Qiancheng, now bored, withdrew the dagger, a trace of disdain flashing across his face as he avoided her tender, affectionate gaze.

Lian Sheng wiped her tears with her sleeve. She resolved not to cry so easily again in the future. Yi Qiancheng enjoyed seeing her at her most miserable and unfortunate—so she would have to remain happy, cheerful, and smiling.

“Dear husband, when shall we hold the wedding ceremony?”

“Who said I’m going to marry you?”

“Don’t you want to marry me?”

With a cold tone, he squeezed out two words: “I don’t.”

“No matter. I want to marry you, and that’s the same thing.”

“...” How was that the same thing?

“I know my dear husband dislikes all those formalities. Since you’ve already lifted my bridal veil, I’m now your woman. So, shall we drink the nuptial wine next?”

Lian Sheng looked at Yi Qiancheng with an expression of eager anticipation, as if silently pleading for him to say yes. Yi Qiancheng returned her gaze with an odd look.

“What are you? You’re not even fit to warm my bed. If you want to die, I can make that happen.”

“I’m the one in this world who loves you most, admires you most, and thinks of you constantly. I don’t want to die—I just want to marry you.”

Yi Qiancheng was silent for a moment, unwilling to continue this nauseating topic that left him feeling stifled and disgusted. He would have to be mad to marry a woman from the Lian family and disgust himself.

“Stop saying such revolting things. I know why you’ve rushed here—you want me to send troops. Dream on.” His tone grew icy as his gaze darkened with a cold glint.

Lian Sheng clenched her hands into fists within her sleeves. She quickly gathered her thoughts and spoke:

“But you can’t let Yidong fall, can you? The Liang Kingdom has six cities. From the first emperor onward, the kingdom was divided into six territories, with the royal capital at its center and the other five cities defending the borders. The Liang Kingdom thrived for centuries but fell into chaos due to repeated invasions by the Xiqiang. The Xiqiang are barbaric, bloodthirsty, and cruel. Once Yidong falls, they won’t immediately massacre the city—they’ll likely march directly toward the royal capital instead.”

“You must know, dear husband, that the Xiangnao River lies between the royal capital and Yidong. The Xiqiang are skilled warriors and excellent swimmers. Their swelling ambitions will drive them to cross the Xiangnao River and seize the royal capital. Even if the other four cities immediately send reinforcements, their armies may not match the speed of the Xiqiang’s crossing. Moreover, the troops from Yuanhuai and Fengmu are not skilled in naval combat. If reinforcements fail to arrive in time and the royal capital falls, it won’t just be Yidong that’s lost—the entire Liang Kingdom will collapse. Under such circumstances, can Shaji City really remain unscathed?”

“Shallow thinking. The Xiqiang are nothing. The royal capital has its own troops, and the two cities closest to the capital can send reinforcements to repel them.” Yi Qiancheng’s tone turned mocking. “Besides, what does the fall of the royal capital have to do with Shaji? Times have changed. Those barbarians couldn’t conquer Shaji even if they all died trying.”

His tone was arrogant and indifferent, as if the matter had nothing to do with him. Lian Sheng thought back to what she had observed since entering Shaji: guards stationed every ten steps, soldiers with sharp eyes, and the city’s naturally defensible terrain. A sense of unease crept over her.

Years ago, when the royal capital abandoned Shaji and Yidong stood by indifferently, Shaji fell to invaders. Only through the desperate efforts of the late city lord and all its people did Shaji manage to survive.

From the beginning, Lian Sheng had known that to persuade Yi Qiancheng to send troops, she had to do two things: marry him to bind the fates of Yidong and Shaji together, and make him understand that the fall of Yidong would lead to chaos throughout the kingdom.

But what if Yi Qiancheng didn’t care about the fall of the royal capital? Lian Sheng’s heart pounded wildly. What if he hated the people who had once stood by and watched, caring nothing for the state of the kingdom and only wanting to guard his own Shaji City?

That would truly be the end.

“But surely you won’t let the Xiqiang invade the Liang Kingdom, will you?” Lian Sheng wasn’t sure if she was trying to persuade Yi Qiancheng or herself. “Because no one hates the Xiqiang more than you.”

The Xiqiang slaughtered his family and trampled his city. No one could hate the Xiqiang more than Yi Qiancheng!

Yi Qiancheng’s expression changed, his cold gaze fixed on her. Something sharp and hateful flashed in his eyes, and his previously relaxed demeanor turned cold and rigid. From his eyes, Lian Sheng saw killing intent.

She suddenly remembered that Yi Qiancheng had entered the room with a dagger. Perhaps it wasn’t meant to toy with her—he had intended to kill her from the start!

He had no intention of marrying her! He wanted to humiliate the Lian family and send the head of their daughter back to Yidong!

Lian Sheng had the sudden urge to run.

There was a knock at the door. “General, Mr. Fu Yi requests an audience.”

Yi Qiancheng frowned deeply at the mention of “Fu Yi,” but to Lian Sheng’s surprise, he didn’t spare her another glance and left the room, presumably to meet this Mr. Fu Yi.

It seemed this person commanded his respect.

Lian Sheng let out a sigh of relief. At least for now, she didn’t have to worry about being killed by Yi Qiancheng.

Her nerves remained on edge. Yi Qiancheng’s unpredictable nature and volatile temperament gave her an acute sense of danger. And that fleeting moment of killing intent earlier made her realize he truly had no intention of marrying a Lian family daughter.

So why had her father said Yi Qiancheng had agreed to send troops on the condition of marriage? Where had things gone wrong?

It seemed she not only had to rethink her strategy to borrow troops but also find a way to ensure her own survival.

Fu Yi had originally been a strategist under the late City Lord Yi, whom he regarded as a confidant and treated with the highest respect. The late City Lord had even saved Fu Yi’s life.

In his youth, Fu Yi was exceptionally talented, skilled in both military strategy and the affairs of the world. He also had knowledge of certain mysterious arts and formations. Grateful for the City Lord’s kindness, Fu Yi decided to stay in Shaji City, serving as the City Lord’s strategist. He stayed for eighteen years, providing counsel to the late City Lord.

When the Xiqiang attacked Shaji City, Fu Yi played a crucial role in turning the tide, using his intellect to protect the city. The old City Lord died in battle, and his wife committed suicide in grief. Before his death, the late City Lord left Fu Yi a letter, entrusting him to assist his only son, Yi Qiancheng.

Fu Yi accepted this responsibility, deeply moved by the City Lord’s gratitude. After helping to rebuild Shaji City, he remained by Yi Qiancheng’s side, serving as his military advisor.

At this moment, Fu Yi waited in Yi Qiancheng’s study, gazing at the few green bamboo plants outside, his expression solemn.

When Yi Qiancheng entered, Fu Yi quickly stood and bowed, saying, “General.”

“Military advisor, no need for formalities. It’s late at night; what’s the important matter you wish to discuss?”

Yi Qiancheng helped him up. Fu Yi was not just his military advisor; he was a benefactor to all of Shaji City.

“Do you remember what you said when we were rebuilding Shaji City back then?” Fu Yi asked.

“Of course, I said I would make Shaji City strong, so no one could insult or trample on it, and I would make sure that those who deserved to pay would all pay the price.”

Fu Yi shook his head. “I’m not asking about that. I’m asking about your ambition back then.”

The study fell into silence for a long time.

“To rule the world,” Yi Qiancheng finally said.

“You were afraid Shaji might be trampled on. But know this: only the strongest can decide the life and death of others. Back then, when you went to Yidong alone to ask for help, you saw how cold and indifferent people could be. You experienced the defeat and helplessness that came with being weak. That’s why, standing on the ruins of the city walls, you looked toward the royal capital and swore that one day you would rule the world.”