"Are we still not there yet?"
Leonard Tang stood at the snow-covered mountain peak, gasping for breath. In the distant sky, multicolored lights shimmered with mystery. For over half a month, Wraithshade had led him through the mountains, traveling from dawn until dusk, resting only briefly before continuing onward.
"We're almost there. You can already see Rainbow Mountain."
Wraithshade spoke and sat down. Below them lay a tiny forest, barely visible. It had taken them three days to climb this mountain.
"I'm afraid my body can't take it much longer."
Leonard Tang spoke, then broke into a violent cough, spitting up blood.
"If you really die, give it a few hundred years. Once I've figured it all out, I can pull you back into the living world."
Leonard Tang's complexion was terrible. He looked at Wraithshade with a puzzled expression.
"Does it really exist? The world after death?"
Wraithshade nodded.
"I went there when I was very young, but I came back. I still remember those colors—colors that don't exist in this world, terrifying and utterly hopeless."
"Heh, if it does exist, I really want to see it for myself."
Leonard Tang struggled to his feet as he spoke. His skin had begun to darken, exuding a rotten stench, and patches of his skin occasionally oozed greasy, murky fluid.
Suddenly, Wraithshade's eyes widened. He clutched his chest in agony, crouching in the snow, his hands buried in it, gasping for breath. Beads of sweat rolled down his forehead.
"Are you alright? Did you see something again?"
Leonard Tang asked worriedly from the side. After a long while, Wraithshade stood up and gazed eastward. They had traveled west from the Sage Domain, skirted past the Grant Domain and Jiang Territory, and only yesterday finally reached the western edge of Jiang Territory.
Early the next morning, Yuna Grant stood unsteadily in the open ground. Lucille Xing supported her, while Lucille stood in front of her, arms crossed and face stern.
"Yuna Grant, wake up!"
With a slap, Yuna Grant snapped awake, clutching her aching cheek.
"Ouch, Lucille, what was that for?"
"Good, as long as you know it hurts. Today I'll teach you archery. Here, take this."
Lucille Xing handed Yuna Grant a bow and arrow—a size smaller than those for adults. Yuna Grant held it happily.
"It's the aura of death. These ghosts sense a massive wave of death approaching, and for the next few centuries, the tribes will enter an even more chaotic era."
"Why didn't it happen before, but only now?"
Wraithshade glared fiercely toward the east. After a long silence, he uttered three words.
"Yuna Grant."
..........
"Stop sleeping, Yuna Grant, get up."
Joseph Qiao looked helplessly at Yuna Grant, who was slumped over the table, still sleeping as dusk fell. Today he had tried to teach her to read, but she hadn't learned a single character. Lucille Xing waited nearby, equally exasperated. No matter how many times they called, Yuna Grant wouldn't wake up.
Joseph Qiao had visited the Zou Clan, officially to inspect the defenses, but secretly to investigate the Zou family's situation. On the surface, nothing seemed amiss, but behind the scenes, he had sent Summon Peng to gather information. Sure enough, the Zou family had done many shady things behind the Grant Family's back.
The most critical issue was Lana Grant, the Grant Family's second daughter. After marrying into the Zou Clan five years ago, she seemed like a different person. Unlike Sophie Grant, who was forthright, Lana was always smiling and as skilled as Queen Grant. But now, she had become withdrawn and gloomy. Joseph Qiao tried to ask her about it, but she wouldn't say a word.
While Joseph Qiao was away, Yuna Grant had run wild for days. Only when Joseph Qiao returned yesterday did she finally collapse from exhaustion, so today's lesson was fruitless.
At last, Yuna Grant's stomach growled. She opened her eyes, wiped away her drool, and stretched.
"Time to eat."
"Let's just call it a day."
He had originally planned to scold Yuna Grant. King Grant had said that if she misbehaved, she should be punished harshly—then she'd behave. She must not be spoiled.
After dinner, night had fallen. Joseph Qiao planned to go to the aviary to find Lucille Xing and discuss tomorrow's lessons. Lucille would teach Yuna Grant weapon skills in the morning, while Joseph Qiao would handle literacy at noon.
Arriving at the aviary, Joseph Qiao heard Lucille Xing laughing loudly, as if she'd just heard something hilarious. Standing next to her was a shifty-looking fellow: Phoenix Yu.
Joseph Qiao had heard Lucille Yu mention that Phoenix Yu met Lucille Xing after he left Grant City.
"I just came to check on Yuna Grant. She's so energetic—last night she ran into my room and played until late. It took me forever to get her to sleep."
Joseph Qiao walked over and asked with a scowl. Phoenix Yu turned away.
"Well, isn't this the leader of the Grant Tribe! I heard you've known Lucille Xing for a long time. I'm Phoenix Yu, nice to meet you."
Phoenix Yu extended his hand. Reluctantly, Joseph Qiao shook it, glaring at him. Phoenix Yu made an excuse about needing to care for his mother. As he passed Joseph Qiao, he whispered softly.
"Lucille Xing seems to really like me!"
In that instant, the usually calm Joseph Qiao suddenly turned his head, reaching out with one hand. Phoenix Yu dodged easily and ran off, laughing.
"What's with you? You came over looking so fierce."
Lucille Xing muttered. Joseph Qiao grabbed her hand, pointing at the now distant Phoenix Yu.
"You like that sneaky guy?"
Lucille Xing's mouth dropped open. She blinked and let out a surprised sound.
"Are you possessed or something? Sick in the head? Who would like someone like that?"
Joseph Qiao quickly let go of Lucille Xing's hand, turning away with a flushed face. Lucille Xing grinned, leaning in.
"That's right, you're a man now—old enough to be interested in women!"
"I just... came to check on these two birds, that's all. What are you thinking? Anyway, tomorrow you're supposed to start teaching Yuna Ji. I'm here to remind you—don't teach her anything weird."
Lucille Xing laughed, then patted Joseph Qiao's back.
"What are you talking about! Anyway, it's been ages since we left the city together. Let's go for a walk."
Joseph Qiao's eyes widened. It was already completely dark. Lucille Xing grabbed his hand and dragged him out of the city—he couldn't resist her at all.
Early the next morning, Yuna Ji stood unsteadily in the open ground. Lucille Xing supported her, while Lucille stood in front of her, arms crossed and face stern.
"Yuna Ji, wake up!"
With a slap, Yuna Ji snapped awake, clutching her aching cheek.
"Ouch, Lucille, what was that for?"
"Good, as long as you know it hurts. Today I'll teach you archery. Here, take this."
Lucille Xing handed Yuna Ji a bow and arrow—a size smaller than those for adults. Yuna Ji held it happily.
"What are you doing here?"
Joseph Qiao looked stony-faced, while Phoenix Yu grinned beside him.
"That's your weakness, huh? Heh, I get it now."
"I don't know what you're talking about..."
Phoenix Yu interrupted Joseph Qiao before he could finish.
"Lucille Xing, Joseph Qiao just said he likes..."
In a flash, Joseph Qiao clamped his hand over Phoenix Yu's mouth and pinned him against the wall, glaring fiercely.
"You..."
Lucille Xing didn't seem to notice, but Joseph Qiao's heart was pounding.
"Why are you so worked up? I was just going to say you like certain things, that's all."
"What exactly are you trying to do?"
Joseph Qiao asked harshly.
"Nothing, just bored, that's all. Haha."
"What are you two men doing?"
A soft voice called out. Joseph Qiao quickly let go of Phoenix Yu.
"Yun Mei, you came too?"
Yun Mei smiled and nodded.
"I just came to check on Yuna Ji. She's so energetic—last night she ran into my room and played until late. It took me forever to get her to sleep."
Yuna Ji pulled the bowstring under Lucille Xing's guidance, nocking an arrow. She'd watched adults shoot many times and thought it looked fun. She was eager to train with weapons, but reality was much harder than she'd imagined.
Joseph Qiao watched Yun Mei approach. He sensed something hidden in Yun Mei's gaze today, as if she had something on her mind.
"Yuna Ji, you've barely practiced and you're already like this?"
Joseph Qiao glanced at the approaching Nanny. There was a hint of sadness in her eyes. Joseph Qiao seemed to realize something and walked straight up to her.
"Is Yun Mei going back to Yun Lands?"
Nanny choked up for a long while before nodding.
"She's going back as a living sacrifice."
Joseph Qiao's eyes widened instantly.
"What's going on?"
After a long silence, Nanny finally spoke: the Yun family had regained full control of Yun Lands, but now their biggest problem was the lack of an heir. To ensure the clan's continuation, the branch families wanted the general with the greatest achievements in Yun Lands to marry Yun Mei and produce a Yun family boy.
Joseph Qiao wanted to say something, but held back. He knew this was Yun Mei's duty as a Yun woman, and it also affected the relationship between Jiang Lands and Yun Lands. There was nothing he could do to stop it.
"Yun Mei, I'm sleeping at your place again tonight!"
Yuna Ji said happily. Yun Mei stroked her forehead.
"Maybe in a few days, Yuna Ji. I have some things to take care of and need to go back for a while."
"Okay, then I'll go visit your clan and play. How about that?"
Yun Mei smiled and shook her head, then talked with Yuna Ji for a long time before finally calming her down.
"I'm leaving at noon today, Yuna Ji. You need to learn from Lucille Xing and Joseph Qiao. Otherwise, you'll end up like me—knowing nothing, weak and helpless, only able to..."
Yun Mei trailed off. Lucille Xing's face had already changed. She looked into Yuna Ji's innocent eyes but said nothing more, turning away and waving goodbye.