Time is like a Dream

Time is like a Dream...

Qin Wu grasped the implication behind Chu Wuwei's words perfectly.

The fury of the Nine Mystical Palace had descended upon both the Royal Clan of Chu and the Emperor Star Academy due to Xiao Lan's death. In the process, it had weakened both factions, essentially eliminating the Heavenly Dipper Sovereigns on both sides. The one who stood to benefit the most from this situation was undoubtedly Qin Wu.

"General Qin, in accordance with our agreement, please withdraw your forces from the Royal Capital. I have no desire to pursue past grudges and grievances. Let the hatred of past generations fade like the wind," Chu Wuwei calmly urged. Qin Wu stared at Chu Wuwei in silence, a hint of murderous intent flickering in his eyes.

"General Qin, Qin Wentian isn't naive. He has already pieced together many things, but he chose not to reveal too much. If you insist on your current path, be prepared for the possibility that he may sever ties with your Qin Clan. Killing me here would be tantamount to admitting that the masked man who nearly killed Qin Wentian by stabbing him through the heart was acting on your orders."

Chu Wuwei's gaze intensified as he locked eyes with Qin Wu. The day of the clash between the Royal Clan and the Emperor Star Academy almost resulted in Qin Wentian's assassination. That attempt had strained the relationship between the Royal Clan and the Emperor Star Academy to the brink. And that was with Qin Wentian surviving. Had he died, it was certain that the Emperor Star Academy would have launched a furious assault on the Royal Clan, leading to heavy casualties on both sides, perhaps even their total annihilation.

Qin Wu maintained his silence, his expression icy. After a long pause, he smiled and admitted defeat. "Very well, I never regarded Chu Tianjiao as my true rival, but I never expected to lose to the unassuming elder prince who had no interest in the power struggle. Chu Wuwei, you have won."

With that, Qin Wu turned and walked away. Qin Wentian followed, noting that the private conversation between Qin Wu and Chu Wuwei had concluded.

Finally, everything had come to an end.

"Spread my orders: prepare to withdraw from the Royal Capital," Qin Wu announced upon returning to his original position. His troops were taken aback by his decision, turning their heads to glance at Qin Wentian. In their hearts, they couldn't help but sigh before obediently following Qin Wu's orders.

Had Qin Wentian reached a decision?

"Wentian," Qin Chuan hadn't left yet, keeping his eyes on his son's silhouette in the air.

Qin Wentian descended gracefully, landing beside his father, a hint of apology in his smile. "Father, your son has been unfilial."

"Silly child." Qin Chuan affectionately rubbed Qin Wentian's head. In his eyes, regardless of how grown-up Qin Wentian had become, he would always see him as his little kid. Qin Wentian was his son, and he was immensely proud of him.

"After we part ways, I won't be able to assist you anymore. You have to take care of yourself," Qin Chuan sighed.

"Don't worry, Father. I'll come back to Sky Harmony often to visit you," Qin Wentian reassured his father, gripping his hand firmly. No matter Qin Wu's attitude, Qin Chuan would always be his father.

"Hey, young man, you've grown up," Qin He and Qin Ye chimed in, approaching with grins on their faces.

Seeing Qin He's broken arm, a complex emotion welled up inside Qin Wentian. This was the price paid for power struggles. He wondered if Qin Wu felt any shame for his actions.

Taking a deep breath, Qin Wentian stepped forward to embrace his second and third uncles in a warm hug. "Second Uncle, Third Uncle, take care of yourselves in the future."

"Don't worry about us," Qin He replied with a carefree smile, as if his broken arm were inconsequential.

"When you're out there in the world, remember to keep a low profile and be cautious," Qin He advised.

"Kid, when you achieve great things in the future, don't forget about your dear old third uncle," Qin Ye laughed heartily, giving Qin Wentian's shoulder a hearty pat. They had witnessed Qin Wentian's journey from a crippled state to the awakening of his extraordinary talent. Today, as he reached this milestone, they couldn't be prouder. Qin Wentian was part of their Qin Clan, and even if he didn't choose to hand over the reins of leadership to them, it didn't diminish their familial bond.

The men of the Qin Clan were known for their integrity and character.

"Of course," Qin Wentian replied with a determined nod.

"Haha, that's enough from us. There's still a young lady eager to speak with you." Qin He and Qin Ye graciously stepped aside, revealing a striking young woman approaching. She was none other than Qin Wentian's sister, Qin Yao.

"Sister, you still look captivating even in armor," Qin Wentian teased with a grin.

"Flattery won't get you far," Qin Yao quipped, rolling her eyes. She smiled and asked, "What are your plans for the future?"

"I intend to explore the vast Grand Xia Empire soon," Qin Wentian replied.

"I see, given your talents, it's a wise decision. Chu is too small for someone like you," Qin Yao agreed. However, a hint of melancholy flickered in her eyes as she continued, "But doesn't that mean we won't see you often in the future?"

The thought of this brought a subtle sadness to Qin Yao's gaze. They had grown up together and were exceptionally close.

"How could that be? I couldn't bear to stay away from my beautiful sister for too long," Qin Wentian teased, trying to lift her spirits. Qin Yao understood his intention. She stepped closer, tiptoed, and planted a light kiss on Qin Wentian's forehead.

With a mischievous giggle, Qin Yao scampered off, looking back and saying, "You, little rascal, make sure to visit your sister frequently in the future."

Watching his sister's retreating figure, Qin Wentian nodded solemnly.

Gradually, the troops of the Qin Clan departed. Qin Wu didn't utter a word of farewell or engage with Qin Wentian. Perhaps he was harboring resentment, or perhaps he was ashamed of his past actions. Regardless, Qin Wentian knew that Qin Chuan, Qin He, Qin Ye, and Qin Yao would always be his family.

To preserve their bonds, it was best to let bygones be bygones.

Just as Chu Wuwei had said to Qin Wu, Qin Wentian wasn't naive. He had already pieced together the truth of many things, but choosing to release these matters would be better for everyone.

As the Qin troops departed and Chu Tianjiao's reign fell, Qin Wentian believed that with Chu Wuwei's capabilities, he would easily manage any ensuing consequences. No one was more familiar than Chu Wuwei with the various power factions in Chu.

Chu Wuwei walked up to Qin Wentian, flashing a smile. "Give me some time to resolve the aftermath of this war. I'll treat you to some wine once it's all settled."

"Sounds like a plan," Qin Wentian replied with a smile, then turned and walked away.

Qin Wentian departed from the Royal Capital, accompanied by members of the Ouyang Clan and Greencloud Pavilion. As for the enigmatic beauty Qing`er, she had vanished from sight. The storm that had shaken Chu was finally subsiding.

Despite choosing to fade from the public eye, rumors and news about Qin Wentian spread like wildfire throughout Chu. In just two short years since he had arrived in the Royal Capital, this young man had managed to reshape the history of Chu.

There was hardly anyone in Chu who hadn't heard his name. They said he defeated Luo Qianqiu, a genius from the Nine Mystical Palace, who was at the second level of Yuanfu, in a mere ten breaths of time.

They said he crushed Chu Tianjiao with overwhelming strength.

They also said that despite having the power to choose the ruler of Chu, Qin Wentian had favored Chu Wuwei over his own Qin Clan.

As time passed, these rumors and stories grew more exaggerated, but one thing was clear: Qin Wentian was the one who determined the fate of Chu.

A gentle breeze swept over the vast Royal Capital. After Chu Wuwei was crowned Emperor, he issued an imperial decree acknowledging the Qin Clan's grievances. He explained that their actions were a result of the wrongs committed by the previous emperor, Qin Wu, and those who had supported the Qin Clan wouldn't be punished. Furthermore, Qin Wu was granted Kingship, taking on the role of the Wu King and overseeing Sky Harmony City and more than ten other cities. The troops under his command were tasked with guarding the borders and required permission to leave.

Simultaneously, the reconstruction of the Emperor Star Academy began, reaffirming its status as the top cultivation institution in Chu. Chu Wuwei, despite his previous reputation as a cultivation cripple, was appointed as an honorary elder by Ren Qianxing. He would occasionally guide and instruct the academy's students, leaving many to wonder how a supposed cripple could fulfill such a role.

After the imperial decree was issued, the Wu King, Qin Wu, cast one last glance over the Royal Capital before leading his troops away. In that look, emotions too complex to decipher swirled.

In the end, destiny determined life and death, and the heavens decreed wealth and riches.

Had he known that Qin Wentian would rise to such incredible power, he would have devised an entirely different plan.

Regrettably, it was too late now. Chu Wuwei wasn't like Chu Tianjiao; he wouldn't allow Qin Wu another chance to muster his forces. In this gamble, he had keenly felt the immense prowess of Chu Wuwei. When it came to intelligence and strategy, Chu Wuwei was unmatched in Chu.

Qin Wu regretted missing his opportunity to become Emperor, a chance he knew would never come again.

His heart was filled with the same remorse that plagued the Bai Clan.

Bai Qingsong and Autumn Snow stood before an opulent mansion. The once-magnificent Ye Clan's Mansion now lay deserted, radiating a chilling and desolate atmosphere.

"The Ye Clan has fallen," Bai Qingsong said with a deep sigh. He had aged considerably after destroying his cultivation, his hair now completely white. He looked at the Ye Clan's Mansion with a sense of indescribable emotion.

Autumn Snow nodded in agreement. The Ye Clan was truly finished.

In the gamble they had entered, the Ye Clan had sided with Chu Tianjiao. Their forces were decimated in the war, and after everything was settled, Chu Wuwei reorganized authority and power in the Royal Capital, pushing the Ye Clan from nobility into destitution.

They had lost everything.

"The twists and turns of the world," Bai Qingsong lamented. Who could have foreseen that the once-distinguished Ye Clan, second only to the Royal Clan, would fall so swiftly? And who would have imagined that the Qin Clan, on the brink of destruction, would rise to become a force capable of sweeping through Chu?

Who could have guessed that the young cultivation cripple from before would, in less than two years, become someone who could shape Chu's destiny?

If only he could glimpse the future, how differently would Bai Qingsong have made his choices back then?

"Time is like a fleeting dream," Bai Qingsong mused as he turned to leave. His appearance had become that of a feeble, elderly man, his back hunched with age.

Watching her father's transformation into a frail old man, Autumn Snow wept silently, tears streaming down her face.