Chapter 23

On that day, two earth-shattering events occurred in the Liang Kingdom.

Emperor Chenghong, Liang Shi, had passed away, and Pillar King Qi Zheng, allied with several branches of the imperial family, had stormed the palace. The entire capital ran red with blood.

Peach Forest Valley was also besieged by troops sent by Qi Zheng; its fall was only a matter of time.

By chance, a woodcutter was in the mountains and knew of a secret path out of the valley. Cheng Mozhi picked up the child and thrust him into Qin Xiyi’s arms.

“Take the child and go back to the Zhao Kingdom!”

No matter how bad Zhao was, it was her motherland; at least they could survive there.

But Qin Xiyi’s eyes reddened. She pursed her lips and asked him, “What about you?”

Cheng Mozhi looked back at the generals who had just recognized him as their leader, then shook his head.

“Xiyi, I’m sorry. I’m afraid I have to break my word.”

“I just said the three of us would never be apart, but now, you and the child must go first! I have to hold the line for you. Those monsters… they’ve set their minds on total extermination.”

“The reason I let go of that blood feud was because of my master—Chun Heng. I can’t forget what he told me before he died: to let go of everything and not be consumed by obsession.”

“But I, Cheng Mozhi, am not heartless. I have my own ‘reverse scale’—the things I hold most dear. They want to touch them, so they must die!”

With eyes brimming with tears, Qin Xiyi gave Cheng Mozhi a deep kiss. She left with the child, her departure both resolute and heart-wrenching.

Anyone can spout grand words, but when it comes to being torn from one’s own flesh and blood, the bone-deep pain is something only one can truly understand for themselves.

Qin Xiyi was overwhelmed by a pain she could hardly contain.

Perhaps this parting would truly be the last time they ever saw each other.