Chapter Forty: Ennui

The golden skeletal remains were unidentifiable—no one could say to whom they once belonged, nor which part of the body they were from. Time had erased all traces, yet a majestic aura still enveloped them. Radiating golden light, the air was filled with the chanting of Buddhist hymns. Wherever the golden light spread, it transformed into a realm of Buddha; countless ancient Buddhas and Bodhisattvas emerged as phantoms. Clearly, the owner of these remains had once been a figure of Buddha-level stature.

The Sage took the remains, swept his hand, and stowed away the scroll. The silhouette’s final words lingered in the air: “Don’t forget, I want the Mandate of Heaven!”

Excitement flickered across the Sage’s face. Seated cross-legged, he let the golden bone hover before his brow, its radiance enveloping him entirely. The state of half-saint, half-demon resurfaced, though now without ferocity. Profound and mysterious auras filled the space, as the flower sprite hopped curiously atop his head.

…

Within the imperial palace of Tianqin,

Zhou Tian and Tian Ling were feasting, indulging in every delicacy. The scholars from the Great Luo Academy and the craftsmen from the Nation of Artifacts had already left, leaving just a handful of them in the vast palace. It would be a waste not to eat.

“Come, Ling’er, try this wine—it’s rather good…” Zhou Tian picked up a cup of honey-thick wine and handed it to Tian Ling.

“Mmm…” Tian Ling accepted the cup. Zhou Tian kept urging her to eat, but these foods, laden with rich energies, weren’t so easy to absorb. She already felt slightly overwhelmed.

Watching the wine slip from the crystal cup into Tian Ling’s delicate mouth, Zhou Tian couldn’t help but swallow the tender meat in his own mouth. A blush appeared on her cheeks.

“Here, Tian Ling, this wine is quite good too…”

…

“I’ve heard this wine is quite good as well…”

…

“Zhou Tian, why do you keep letting Ling’er drink? Are you trying to get her drunk and take advantage of her?” Liu Yan’s sarcastic voice came from the side; she never forgot how Zhou Tian had gossiped about her behind her back.

Tian Ling’s cheeks grew even redder as she held her wine glass, unsure whether from the alcohol or something else.

“Go on, go play elsewhere. Do you think I’m like your family’s Zhou Zui, unable to resist? Life needs a bit of ceremony!” Zhou Tian replied impatiently.

“You…!” Liu Yan’s face flushed bright red, more from anger than embarrassment. Her chest heaved as she realized Zhou Tian was different now. He never used to speak like this—not out of fear, but mere disinterest. Now he seemed to revel in mischief.

“Come on, Tian Ling, let’s go.” Unable to do anything to Zhou Tian, Liu Yan decided to take Tian Ling away, shooting him a fierce glare before turning on her heel.

A faint voice drifted over,

“Big Sister Liu, what did Zhou Tian mean by that?”

“Oh, Ling’er, why do you always pick up the bad habits instead of the good ones? Don’t ask—he’s just talking nonsense.”

“Oh.”

Zhou Tian couldn’t help but smile; Tian Ling was getting tipsy herself.

What to do when your girlfriend is snatched away? Zhou Tian looked around and could only wander over to the group of men nearby.

“Well now! Prince of Qin, not spending time with your little Ling’er anymore? What brings you to us old fellows?” Zhou Xun Chuan teased as Zhou Tian approached.

“Did you just call her ‘little Ling’er’?” Zhou Tian shot him a glance, grabbed a nearby leg of some unknown creature, and stuffed it into his mouth, muttering, “Zhou Zui, when are you going to win over Liu Yan? That woman needs someone to conquer her!”

“Exactly! Prince of Freedom, she’s like a thorny rose—what an achievement that would be!” Zhang Yi chimed in, looking scholarly and aloof, but inwardly as mischievous as the rest.

“My brothers, keep your voices down,” Zhou Zui whispered, hastily casting a soundproofing spell.

Then he smiled wryly, “She would roast me alive if she could. Conquer her? Don’t make me laugh!”

“Love and hate are intertwined. Can’t you see? Where love runs deep, so does hatred!” Zhou Tian remarked casually, recalling countless dramas from his previous life.

“She only hates me, there’s no love…” Zhou Zui protested, not buying Zhou Tian’s twisted reasoning. After tonight’s debate, he realized this friend was full of nonsense.

“So, did you two ever… you know…?” Li Xuan Yi leaned in, the others perking up their ears. It was one of the palace’s great unsolved mysteries.

“No, really, nothing happened!” Zhou Zui replied helplessly. “We were both drunk, but I was very clear—nothing happened at all. How many times do I have to explain it? If something had, Prime Minister Liu would have chopped me up!”

“Boring…” Zhou Tian said, disappointed, then asked,

“Then why does she hate you so much?”

“Ah…” A strange look flashed across Zhou Zui’s face. “It’s a long story.”

“A long story? Brother Sun, why not divine the truth—see what’s so complicated here?” Gu Feng turned to Sun Zhuo.

“Don’t play with me. Calculating the Prince of Freedom and the Prime Minister’s daughter? You want me dead early? Ask Zhang Yi—his master’s the national advisor!” Sun Zhuo shook his head, spitting out a seed from some unknown fruit.

“Sun Zhuo, you’re holding a grudge. Just because I beat you in chess once? Must you torment me?” Zhang Yi protested.

“It wasn’t one move—it was half a move! And you cheated!” Sun Zhuo retorted.

And so, the topic drifted further and further, intentionally or not.

Zhou Tian sensed there was more to the story, but no matter how he pressed Zhou Zui, he wouldn’t say. He pondered how he might pry Zhou Zui’s mouth open.

“If only the ‘Sacred Word’ weren’t still cooling down—I’d try it.” As Zhou Tian, a good friend to both Zhou Zui and Liu Yan, he felt both duty and obligation to help these star-crossed foes.

Who said I’ve nothing better to do? Step forward!

Just as the group was chatting idly, the Qin Emperor and his ministers, along with those who had returned that day, entered. Save for the Emperor, the others were surprised to find only the Tianqin Empire’s people left in the palace, but no one asked questions.

The formalities resumed, tedious as ever. Though the guests had departed, the ceremony had to proceed. The returning heroes were praised, followed by a torrent of empty words, before the official banquet began—no more casting soundproofing spells and speaking freely.

Led by his elder brothers, Zhou Tian greeted the returning guests, putting faces to names for future encounters.

It was clear that Zhou Yu commanded considerable respect among these people, and Zhou Tian was treated cordially as well.

Though he longed to know where their battles had taken place, it was obviously not the right time to ask. Zhou Tian suppressed his curiosity.

And so, he endured, and endured, until at last the banquet was over…