Volume 3: Ten Thousand Li of Azure Sky

Chapter 1: Verdant Peaks Reach the Clouds, Crescent Moon Like a Hook

The Kingdom of Qing lies in the eastern corner of the Divine Kun Continent, spanning approximately thirty thousand square li. On a map, the original shape of Qing resembled a crescent-shaped spade. After seizing the southeastern four provinces of You, its territory now resembles a sharp axe thrusting straight into the three neighboring kingdoms. The “handle” of this axe is located on the southeastern peninsula of the Dieyi Continent, known for its maritime trade routes at Yangzhou. In terms of land area alone, Qing is the second-largest nation after the Kingdom of Liang. It is rich in resources, crisscrossed by rivers, and boasts prosperous agriculture, animal husbandry, and commerce. However, it has always been constrained by the balance of power among neighboring nations and has never achieved dominance.

Dressed in dark male attire, I leaned against the railing of the Zhaohuan Pavilion’s private room. In the sixth month of summer, the southern winds blew across the white sands, and the heat shimmered like misty clouds. Looking out, the streets were lined with paulownia trees, their blossoms blooming wildly, creating a purple haze over the pavilions and rooftops. Breathing in the sweet fragrance of the flowers, I couldn’t help but smile faintly. Yundu—clouds follow dragons, and winds follow tigers. This city is surrounded by mountains on three sides and water on one, truly an ideal location for gathering momentum. Unlike the low-lying houses of Jing, which rests on high plateaus and mountainous terrain, the flatlands of Qing are dotted with three-story buildings. Every five steps brings another pavilion, every ten steps another tower, with ornamental beasts perched on eaves and red tiles adorned with purple bells.

“Miss,” came a soft call from beside me. Turning my head slightly, I smiled at the youthful face of Que’er, my book boy. “What is it?”

This girl who had been following me for half a month pouted, tugging at the hem of my clothes. “Miss, let’s go back. The sun is about to set.”

Lazily leaning against the window, I tapped the table twice with two fingers. “But I’m waiting precisely for the sunset.” My eyes flickered toward the floor below. “Didn’t you say that the most beautiful time at the Zhaohuan Pavilion is when the moon rises over the eastern hills? Since we’re here, there’s no reason to miss this unique sight.”

Que’er lightly slapped her cheeks, muttering under her breath, “You talk too much, you talk too much.”

This pure and adorable girl was like a ladle of clear spring water, crystal-clear and rippling, making me both fond of and envious of her. Staring at the fiery sunset, I sighed softly. If only I hadn’t endured those nightmares, perhaps I too would be as carefree as youth itself, ignorant of sorrow. Lost in thought, I furrowed my brow.

“Miss,” Que’er said, her chubby little face scrunching up in worry as she looked at me. “Please don’t sigh anymore. Even if we stay until midnight, even if I get scolded or punished later, I’ll stay with you.” She blinked her single-lidded eyes. “Before coming to serve you, Mistress told me: no matter what happens, as long as you’re happy, it’s fine. But if I make you cry, I should prepare myself for General’s spear.” Saying this, she touched her short, tender neck. “So please, Miss, don’t frown. Whenever you do, I feel a chill run down my neck.”

Seeing her comical expressions, I couldn’t help but chuckle softly.

“Opening the gates!” A loud shout came from downstairs. Standing up, I moved to the window. In the distance, near the water barrier, several muscular men with bare shoulders and dark skin pushed a round mill-like mechanism. As their muscles flexed, the stone gate beneath slowly lifted. The water dyed crimson by the setting sun surged forth joyfully, bringing life to the otherwise calm river. Qing is a country abundant in water, and every day, officials responsible for water management supervise workers in adjusting the gates based on hydrological conditions. Just this detail alone shows that Qing is heading toward prosperity.

As the last ray of sunlight disappeared, the sky took on a light bluish-gray hue, and lanterns began to twinkle along the streets. Below, after a brief rush of waves, the Changbi River returned to its tranquil state. The cicadas that had buzzed irritably during the day now softened their shrill notes. Riding the summer breeze, their voices rose and fell rhythmically, producing crisp musical tones.

“Guest, your food has arrived.”

“Come in!” Que’er rushed forward, eagerly opening the wooden door of the private room, her eyes fixed on the dishes of delicacies being brought in.

“Que’er,” I said, patting the stool. “Let’s eat together.”

“Uh…” Que’er swallowed hard, slowly shaking her head. “No, no, it’s not proper.”

“Not proper?” I frowned, choking back emotion. “If it’s not proper, I’ll cry.”

She wrinkled her round face, panicking. “No, no!”

“Then?” I pointed to the stool.

Slowly, Que’er approached, bending down to touch the round stool and scrutinizing me for a moment. Finally, she grinned and sat down with a thud. “Alright, Que’er will listen to Miss.”

I sampled a bite from each dish, then rested my chin on my hand, listening intently.

“Though Jing is a small kingdom, it controls the sources of three rivers and benefits from high terrain, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack. Moreover, King Jing is in his prime and free from the troubles of feudal lords, giving him potential for future growth.”

“Brother Mengyuan, you are mistaken. While Jing does have natural advantages, the rooster crows at dawn and the hen rules the household. Empress Dowager Wen has controlled the court for over a decade, and the power of the external relatives surpasses royal authority. This situation is inherently unnatural. How can one speak of gradual growth under such circumstances?”

Interesting. Watching Que’er devour her food happily, I asked softly, “Is this Zhaohuan Pavilion a common gathering place for scholars?”

She hastily swallowed her mouthful. “Yes, yes. I heard from the young men in the mansion that every evening, the Zhaohuan Pavilion offers free tea and snacks to attract scholars to come discuss worldly matters. Oh, and there’s a poem about it! What was it…?” She tilted her head, thinking, then suddenly widened her eyes. “‘Bamboo dwellings debate the world; Zhaohuan gathers all schools of thought.’”

Leaning closer, I asked curiously, “Doesn’t the government intervene? Do they allow such unrestrained speech?”

“Intervene?” Que’er blinked, her oily lips spreading into a grin. “His Majesty issued the Free Speech Decree. Not only does the government not intervene, but it actively supports it.”

Oh? The Free Speech Decree? Interesting. I’d really like to meet this open-minded and far-sighted King of Qing.

“What does Brother Ji Shu think?”

“Looking across the Divine Kun Continent, the two nations with the strongest aura of dominance are Yong and Qing. Yong began reforming in the previous generation, strengthening its internal governance and external defenses, uniting ruler and minister under a common cause.”

“Hmm…” “Yong has thrived for decades.”

“As for our nation, since His Majesty ascended the throne, he has built irrigation systems, reduced taxes and labor, implemented benevolent policies, and reformed laws. Truly, he has swept away outdated practices and ushered in a fresh, decisive era.”

Hearing the debates outside, I became excited and began pacing within the private room. Since arriving in Qing and seeing my family, the gloom in my heart had dissipated, and I felt much brighter. Unable to contain myself, I muttered aloud in the room, “But these two countries have fatal weaknesses.”

“Eh?” Que’er, chewing on a piece of pork belly, looked at me in surprise. “What weaknesses?”

Smiling faintly, I spoke clearly: “One mountain cannot hold two tigers. Do you know how many kings there are in Yong?”

“How many? Of course, only one—the King of Yong!”

“Hmm…” I shook my head. “There are two kings in Yong. One is the reigning King of Yong, and the other is the illustrious Ming Wang. Back then, after the death of the Crown Prince of Yong without leaving a succession edict, the kingdom was on the verge of division, with three surrounding nations eyeing it hungrily. At that time, ignoring the opposition of his household ministers, the third prince, Chen Shao, submitted to the second prince, Chen Wei, for the greater good, thus avoiding civil war.”

“Mm-hmm.” Que’er nodded. “But everyone knows these two are famously close brothers.”

“Close brothers? The imperial family is the most ruthless of all. Where does one find true brotherhood there?” I chuckled, looking directly at her. “Que’er, you’ve never met Ming Wang. If you had, you’d understand that his act of yielding the throne was purely out of necessity.” Narrowing my eyes, I gazed coldly out the window. “Chen Shao is cunning and ruthless, willing to torture women and children to achieve his goals.” Recalling the battle of Qianzhou and the brutal deaths of my parents, I gripped the edge of the table tightly. “His relinquishing of the throne wasn’t as simple as the rumors suggest. Ming Wang has countless military achievements, widespread support, and fertile lands as his fiefdoms. If I’m not mistaken, Ming Wang is merely a sleeping tiger biding his time. When the moment is right, he will leap out of the valley and seize the throne. Thus, Yong’s civil war is merely postponed.”

“Miss is so smart!” Que’er gazed at me in admiration.

Smiling faintly, I continued, “The political affairs of Yong teach us a lesson.”

“What lesson?”

Half-closing my eyes, I said indifferently, “The throne is most secure when seized by force. A throne given willingly is often a crippled chair.”

Snap. From the neighboring room came the soft sound of a fan closing.

Glancing at the corner of the wall, I grew wary.

“What about our Qing?” Que’er asked anxiously.

Shaking my head, I hesitated to continue. “Ah, but His Majesty has issued the Free Speech Decree. Why should I be afraid?” She tugged at my sleeve playfully. “Miss spends all day cooped up at home reading books. You must share your thoughts, or they’ll rot inside you, and that wouldn’t be good!”

Unable to resist her pleading, I deliberated for a moment before speaking softly, “Qing has two major vulnerabilities: human calamities and geographical limitations.”

Que’er looked at me, puzzled, her brows furrowed. “Human calamities? Geographical limitations?”

“Yes.” I nodded. “Tell me, how many sons does the current king have?”

She lowered her head, counting on her fingers, and after a while replied, “Among the living, there are eleven princes. Including those who died prematurely, there are eighteen sons altogether.”

“Eleven.” I snorted softly. “Humans are greedy creatures. They eat from the bowl while eyeing the pot. The throne carries the ultimate prize—the imperial crown—and any member of the royal lineage capable of reaching it will strive to claim it. According to historical patterns, struggles for the throne often result in a tripartite standoff, followed by two factions uniting to defeat the strongest contender, leading to a final purge. As you said, seven princes have already died, meaning we’ve entered the critical phase of a two-way struggle. In the end, of these eleven, perhaps only four or five will remain.”

“No… surely not…” Que’er stammered, skepticism written all over her face.

“That’s not all.” I gently patted her cheek, speaking deliberately. “When the birds are gone, the bow is hidden; when the hare dies, the hound is cooked.” Clenching my fists, I continued, “During the struggle for the throne, the pressure binds the princes of the same faction tightly together. At that time, they rise or fall as one.” Suddenly, I spread my hands wide. “But once victory is achieved and external pressures dissipate, internal conflicts surface. Selfishness arises, and murderous intent emerges. In the end, aside from the one seated on the throne, perhaps only one or two brothers will survive, their wings clipped and locked away in a gilded cage. They’ll call it ‘elder brother’s kindness and younger brother’s virtue, the king’s generosity.’”

Que’er stared at me, dumbfounded, her chicken leg slipping from her hand and falling to the floor.

“So, a ruler must be mindful of the issue of succession and avoid indulging in fleeting pleasures.” I wagged my finger teasingly. “One or two sons are too few, three or four are just right, five or six are sufficient, but more than seven or eight invites chaos, and over ten leads to internal strife.”

“The current king has eleven princes, which is precisely the human calamity.” I pointed at the corner of Que’er’s mouth, smiling as I watched her hurriedly wipe away a droplet of saliva. Continuing, I said, “Now, regarding geographical limitations: to dominate the world, one cannot lack the ‘Three Whites.’”

“Three Whites?” Que’er obediently handed me a cup of tea.

“Yes, salt, iron, and water—the Three Whites.” Taking a sip of tea to moisten my throat, I continued, “First, let’s talk about salt. My brother once told me that although Qing borders the sea, due to technological limitations, its production of sea salt falls far short of demand. Moreover, Qing is abundant in freshwater but lacks any pure salt fields capable of producing well salt. Salt is the foundation of human strength.” Slowly sitting down, I added, “This means that Qing does not fully control its own manpower.”

“As for iron, it is essential for both weapons of war and farming tools. Ancient texts have recorded that the eastern lands of Divine Kun are scarce in iron but rich in other metals. From this perspective, Qing’s military and agricultural sectors are only half-controlled by itself.” Using my finger to trace an ancient character for “water” on the table with a bit of spilled tea, I explained, “Water is the root of life, and its source is the root of water. Though Qing is abundant in water, the source of the vital Red River lies in the hands of Jing. If the two nations were to go to war and Jing were to cut off the upstream flow, what would Qing do?” Pausing, I turned my gaze coldly. “It would inevitably lead to defeat without even fighting.”

“In conclusion, the lifeline of Qing is not entirely within its own grasp—it is precarious indeed.” I sighed. “This is likely why prosperous Qing has failed to achieve dominance.”

Clap, clap, clap. A crisp sound of applause came from outside the door.

Warily narrowing my eyes, I cleared my throat. “Who’s there?”

“It’s me.” The melodious voice was unmistakable—it belonged to Ling Yi Ran.

Lowering my head, I waved to Que’er. She scurried forward and slowly opened the door. There stood the tall, elegant figure of Ling Yi Ran, tapping his fan as he strode in confidently. After pausing briefly, he signaled to someone behind him. Liu Yao nodded, grabbed Que’er, and quickly shut the door.

“Hey! What are you doing!” came Que’er’s frightened voice from outside. “Stop pulling me! Careful, or I’ll hit you! You’re taking my Miss…” Her words were abruptly muffled, leaving only indistinct murmurs.

Sighing, I called out loudly, “Que’er, we know each other—don’t be afraid.”

“Oh,” came a response from outside. “Why are you covering my mouth? How annoying!”

Ling Yi Ran exuded confidence, his steps light with amusement, his alluring eyes shimmering with excitement. He sauntered over, gently fanning himself, and sat down beside me. “Heh…” His smile was captivating, truly beguiling. “Hahaha…” His laughter rang out clearly, his expression utterly relaxed.

Glancing at him sideways, I resumed sipping my tea.

Suddenly, my wrist was seized. Turning my gaze, I glared at him angrily. “Let go.”

His eyes gleamed with intoxication, a smirk playing on his lips. “Indeed… just as I suspected.”

“Indeed what?” I shot him an irritable glare, attempting to pull my wrist free, but his grip only tightened. Annoyed, I swiftly drew Xiaohun , pointing it coldly at him. “Release me.”

Ling Yi Ran glanced at the silver blade, his smile growing even more seductive. “You’ve grown less innocent since childhood.” Then, gazing intently at me, he added, “This suits you best.” With that, he slowly loosened his fingers. I yanked my wrist back immediately, shooting him a sidelong glare before sheathing Xiaohun .

He leaned back comfortably in the wooden chair, staring directly at me. At first, I dismissed him as merely bored and ignored him, continuing to drink my tea.

After finishing a cup, he was still watching. Snorting softly, I turned my head to gaze at the sky.

The crescent moon hung like an eyebrow in the night sky, the stars twinkling softly as they wandered across the heavens. The earth lay cradled in the arms of night, slumbering peacefully, as if afraid to wake it. Yet here, there was someone determined to disturb my peace.

That intense gaze grew hotter, warming my cheeks and igniting a flame in my heart. Turning sharply, I glared at him fiercely. “What do you want?”

He chuckled softly, his eyes dancing like fluttering peach blossoms. After a moment, he stopped laughing and leaned closer, his eyes sparkling with intrigue. “Just a few days apart, and your temper has grown so impatient. Remember the bamboo grove? You won then.”

Rolling my eyes, I moved to stand by the window, remaining silent.

“What? Nothing to say to me?” I noticed he no longer referred to himself in the third person. Extending his hand, he lightly touched the vines trailing along the wall up to the window frame.

“Tsk, tsk… One thing hasn’t changed,” his voice grew softer, closer. “You’re still as ungrateful as you were in childhood.”

Ungrateful? I turned back, giving him a glance from a step away.

“Disagree?” Ling Yi Ran leaned against the windowframe, tapping it with his finger. “I saved your closest kin, yet you treat me with such indifference.” Shaking his head, he feigned a wounded expression.

At his words, guilt washed over me. Bowing deeply, I expressed my gratitude. “Han Yue Xia thanks Ninth Prince for his great kindness.”

“Rise.” His tone carried a hint of smugness. “But you should call me Yunzhi, shouldn’t you, dear?”

Thinking back to his earlier gesture of goodwill in the Ju Yue Hall, I couldn’t help but chuckle softly. Looking up, I complied readily. “Yunzhi.”

Ling Yi Ran ceased tapping his fingers, his handsome face lighting up with pleasure, his tone rising slightly. “Mm-hmm…”

A flash of clarity struck me. Composing myself, I looked him straight in the eye. “Yunzhi, whether you aim for the heavens or the depths of the earth, I don’t care. But since you’ve involved my brother and Nong Mo, failure is not an option, and their lives must not be endangered.”

Ling Yi Ran raised his elegantly arched brows, his deep, unfathomable eyes meeting mine. “I won’t lose.” Plucking an orange-red flower from the windowframe, he lowered his gaze and asked softly, “Do you know what kind of flower this is?”

“I don’t know.” I shook my head lightly.

A faint smile curved his lips. Meeting my gaze, his eyes sparkled. “This flower is called Ling Xiao .”

“Ling Xiao?” My eyes widened as I stared at him. Indeed… just as I had thought.

He chuckled softly, placing the radiant Ling Xiao flower beside me. In a low voice, he murmured, “The Zhaohuan Pavilion belongs to me. This private room will always be reserved for you.” Startled, I looked back at him. His eyes gleamed with an indomitable air of authority. “This is the only place where you can see Ling Xiao .”

Looking down, I saw the vine twisting and coiling, its vivid blossoms blooming uniquely here.

Verdant peaks reach into the clouds; the crescent moon hangs like a hook.

With Ling Xiao as his emblem, Yunzhi answers with seasons of ambition.

Beneath the vast azure sky, generals and lords vie for supremacy.

Surveying the world, who shall rule with grace and power?