Chapter 37 War for Peace

[Zhen Jian]

As I hold her in my arms, the soft rays of the morning sun escape from the mountains, casting a warm glow over the landscape. The cool morning air carries the scent of blooming flowers and damp earth, creating a tranquil setting. The serene beauty of our surroundings is a stark contrast to the turmoil of our past.

I recall our conversation from last night. She was killed and came back. The ones who murdered her will undoubtedly want to harm her again once they learn she is alive. I need to be ready, not only to defend but to take the initiative. My master's favorite saying echoes in my mind, "Prevention is always better than treatment."

[Huo Lian]

As I watch the sunshine, I feel all my worries and anxieties wash away. The golden light filters through mountains in the distance. Yesterday, he experienced many negative emotions, but thankfully, I was able to calm him down. He is usually so composed, rarely exhibiting his feelings, but my past shook him deeply.

I release a long breath, feeling his grip tighten around me. I look at his face and see a frown. Ah, I was foolish to think this overprotective man would let go of things so easily. 

"Lian," he calls me, and my heart clenches.

"I— ahem, I love you. Good morning."

"Huh?!" I am too confused. I saw his frown and was ready to stop him from doing something foolish, but the first thing he said was that?

[Zhen Jian]

"Hahaha," I laugh and explain. "Today is our first morning together. I didn't want it to start with something negative. But now that it started sweet, I will need their names and possible locations. I am sure you have thought about what would happen if they find us first."

[Huo Lian]

I am reminded that I know his habits but not his thoughts. "Jian," I say, hitting him lightly on the chest. He laughs again. I had hoped we could hide in our little paradise for a while, but it's not practical. We must take the offensive. I have become too content recently, feeling that having him was already enough. But we live in violent times. To keep my treasure safe, I need to seek power again. My ambitions return—to become not just the ruler of the North but of all five regions of China.

"They are the defeated Huo Dynasty's five chiefs: Yi Lao, Han Bo, Lin Yao, Wu Xian, and the most powerful, Zhang Wei. Their location are unknown to me. But Jian, we have a lot of work to do. Before we meet any of them, we need to train you formally in cultivation and martial arts. Even though you are more powerful than I was at my peak, you are only utilizing a little less than half your strength. We also need to raise an army. If we beat all five, another five will take their place. We need to stabilize the region, then unify the five regions. Only then can we live peacefully."

After listing our objectives, I look at him. He sighs and looks tired. "I thought killing them would be the end."

His tired look makes me laugh. "Who asked you to fall for the woman who wants to be empress?"

[Zhen Jian]

She is right. No one indeed told me to love a woman who desires to be an absolute monarch. I never wanted to rule the world, and I still don't. But that is truly the only way for us to live peacefully. If we only rule the North, someone from another direction could come and attack us. We must become so strong that no one can challenge us. Sigh, I miss my lazy days.

[Huo Lian]

I am glad that he is back to his usual carefree self. If he had insisted on revenge, I wouldn't have been able to say no, and we would have died by their hands again. Sigh, I don't mind dying again, but to die right after being reunited would be too disappointing.

"Hey Lian, how did you know I was only using half my strength?" he asks curiously.

"Oh, yeah, I forgot to tell you. Like you, I have a special ability. I have a perception ability that can see someone's strength as long as they are not too much stronger than me."

He looks at me and asks, "I have a special ability?"

"Jian," I say while grabbing his ear.

"Ow, ow, Lian, please let go."

"Did you think it was normal to release that pumpkin spice smell when you swing your sword?"

[Zhen Jian]

Oh yeah, I did tell her about that. "You are right," I laugh.

"By the way, Jian, when I tried to scan your full power, I entered this dark world. It was different from the one I entered when I died. Inside, I found this huge creature. It had the same eye color as you. Do you know anything about it?" she asks, looking pale and shivering slightly. It must have been an incredibly terrifying event.

I adjust her in my lap so I can embrace her whole back. "Try again, please. We need to know how strong I am; otherwise, we won't be able to get anywhere. Assessment is always the first part."

[Huo Lian]

I agree with him; we need to know his strength. I lean my back into his chest and tighten my shaking hands on top of his that are circled around my belly. Honestly, I feel afraid, but we need to do this. I surround both of us with my perception and slowly enter his body.

I find myself in the dark world again. This time, too, I feel the bird behind me. The red bird looks at me, and for some reason, I feel as if it were smiling warmly at me. It gently pushes my back forward. I turn, facing the large being in front of me. Its eyes are still closed. 

As I take my first step forward, it opens both eyes. Fear strikes me again, but this time, instead of rising up into the air, the two eyes simply stare at me. 

I don't know if the fact that I came with the knowledge that it had something to do with Jian lessens my fear, but I slowly approach it. It feels like a friend of a friend, or maybe a friend's family member. It is related to Jian; maybe if he were able to enter this world, he would feel the same connection I did with the red bird.

Now only a few feet away, I thought it was an enormous being, but now I can somewhat make out its outline. I raise my hand to touch it, slowly, slowly making my way toward the large being. It then slowly closes its eyes as if allowing me to do whatever I want. I touch its head and feel the softest fur I have ever felt. The bird behind me casts a faint light, barely making its outline visible. It almost seems like a large tiger.

After I have this thought, I find myself back, sitting in the same position, but my perception is within Jian. I sense something within his bloodstream, mixed harmoniously. I try to look for his dantian and become horrified. He doesn't have one.

I jump up and scream, "Jian, where is your dantian?"

[Zhen Jian]

I have never seen her so worried. "What's that?"

"JIAN!!!" she screams even louder and jumps onto me.