Chapter 56

Instead, images of Sheng Fei invaded his consciousness.

Those piercing golden eyes, steady and intense, watching him with a mixture of concern and something deeper, something that scared him but also ignited a fire inside him. It was like a switch was flipped and sensations he had never felt before were surfacing. Faster than he could comprehend.

He recalled the way Sheng Fei’s hands moved with such gentleness over his skin, stitching up his wound with practiced precision. His voice was deep, low and steady, assuring him over and over again that he was going to be okay and that whatever happened wasn't his fault. That he didn't need to punish himself. And even if he wanted to, he could do so by devoting himself to the citizens. By doing what's right by them. By correcting all of his mistakes. Little by little, one by one, until they, together, free the Celestial Kingdom from the clutches of the current evil Emperor.