What?!
Qingluan was stunned at first, then immediately felt a wave of guilt wash over her.
Just moments ago, she had maliciously doubted Xiao Yang, assuming he was scheming to use Ning Hongye as a tool to amass wealth…
And now, reality had slapped her in the face.
Meanwhile, Ning Hongye’s eyes shimmered with a strange light, her red lips parting slightly, “Xiao Yang, the Kirin Golden Armor you gave me last night already counts as the betrothal gift. There’s no need for anything else.”
“Miss Ning, you might not know this! Before you arrived, I already made a pact with my father and eight elder brothers—to collect a spiritual treasure from each of them as your betrothal gift! A man of honor keeps his word. How can I go back on mine?!”
Xiao Yang’s words were flawless, but in his heart he muttered: Are you kidding? If you don’t accept it, how am I supposed to trigger the system’s return reward?
…
At that moment, Ning Hongye was a bit surprised. Xiao Yang’s attitude was truly beyond her expectations.
She was a female war goddess of the battlefield!
Subordinates revered her.
Enemies feared her.
Commoners trembled before her.
But in this world, no one had ever loved her…
When it came to feelings, she was a blank slate. Despite her high position, she lived in loneliness.
Xiao Yang’s sudden appearance in her life and the way he treated her left her flustered…
“Fine. Since it’s your heartfelt intention, I’ll accept it.”
Ning Hongye extended her hand and accepted the pill.
[Host has gifted the top-grade Spirit-tier Nine-Turn Rebirth Pill. Reward triggered!]
[100x return: Received top-grade Emperor-tier treasure, Yin-Yang Genesis Pill. Reverses yin and yang, alters constitution, equivalent to 100 years of bitter cultivation.]
[Would you like to claim it now?]
…
Another emperor-tier pill—this was a huge gain!
As usual, Xiao Yang chose “No.” It wasn’t the right time to claim it; he’d wait until he got back to study it.
“Miss Ning, you’re injured. You should take the pill and recover quickly,” Xiao Yang advised.
“How do you know I’m injured?”
Ning Hongye’s eyes sharpened, instantly alert, a murderous intent rising from within.
She had suffered grave wounds outside the domain and could only exert 30% of her strength—this was top secret, known only to her personal guards.
Xiao Yang froze. He had said too much.
He couldn’t exactly say the system told him, right? Follow the newest chapters on g.com.
“I guessed!” Xiao Yang quickly came up with a reason. “When your army returned from the expedition, almost everyone was injured. And when you removed your mask yesterday, I noticed your face was pale, completely devoid of color—clear signs of internal injury.”
“I was worried about your health, so I went to ask my eldest brother for the pill today.”
Hearing this explanation, Ning Hongye restrained her killing intent, a trace of emotion stirring in her heart.
He’d risked offending Xiao Junlin just to get her a pill?
…
That worked!
Seeing her expression soften, Xiao Yang breathed a sigh of relief. “Then I’ll take my leave.”
“Wait!”
To his surprise, Ning Hongye stopped him and then said to Qingluan, “Qingluan, step outside. I have something to discuss with Xiao Yang alone.”
“Yes, General.”
Qingluan nodded and left immediately.
Now only the two of them remained in the room. The atmosphere suddenly became a little strange.
“The Spiritual Eye, Kirin Golden Armor, Nine-Turn Rebirth Pill… all of these are rare treasures, and yet you’ve given them all to me. Xiao Yang, I want to know—why do you treat me like this?” Ning Hongye asked.
She had always been one to repay kindness with tenfold gratitude.
But Xiao Yang had given far too much. How could she ever repay such a debt?
“You are my fiancée. We are about to become one family. Why draw lines between us?”
Xiao Yang walked up to her and reached out toward her mask.
“You…”
Ning Hongye tensed up, but after a moment’s hesitation, she didn’t resist and let him proceed.
Soon, that stunningly beautiful face was revealed again—expressionless, still cold as ever.
“Why always so serious? You’re so beautiful, you should smile more,” Xiao Yang said.
Smile?
Ning Hongye shook her head. She couldn’t even remember the last time she smiled.
She had joined the military as a child. Her father had never treated her as a daughter—only as a soldier, holding her to the highest standards.
On the blood-soaked battlefield, she had to give ten times the effort a man did just to survive.
Her father told her she was born for war, a sword to kill, a blade to slay…
As for love, she had never considered it. Even this imperial marriage had meant nothing to her.
But now, facing Xiao Yang, something in her heart was changing.
“Huu…”
Taking a deep breath, Ning Hongye looked at Xiao Yang and asked, “Do you truly want to marry me?”
“I do!” Xiao Yang nodded firmly.
“Don’t rush to say yes. Let me tell you a secret first.” Visit g.com for the full chapter.
Pain flashed through her eyes as she continued, “I did kill my father—but I had no choice.”
“The emperor only seeks immortality and eternal life. He ordered the Vermilion Bird Army to go beyond the domain not for conquest, but to search for the Immortality Elixir on Penglai Immortal Island. Over a million soldiers have already died for this, but the truth was sealed.”
“And that Penglai Island is full of monsters and evil spirits!”
“My father was possessed by an evil being and lost his mind. He slaughtered all his personal guards. I had no choice but to use a secret technique to kill him…”
As she spoke, Ning Hongye’s voice trembled.
Xiao Yang was shocked. He hadn’t expected such a reason and couldn’t help but ask, “Why didn’t you reveal the truth to clear your name?”
She explained, “First, to preserve my father’s honor. Second, only the emperor, my father, and I knew about the Immortality Elixir. None of the other soldiers were aware. If the secret leaks…”
Xiao Yang instantly understood.
The emperor was a tyrant. For his selfish desires, he sacrificed the lives of countless innocent soldiers.
But if the secret got out, everyone would know Ning Hongye was the source. She’d be silenced without question.
Then Ning Hongye added, “Xiao Yang, even if you like me, being with me will only bring you disaster.”
“Because once I recover, I’ll return to the southern border—and raise an army in rebellion!”
“That worthless dog of an emperor killed my father and countless soldiers, plunging the people into misery. Even if the path ahead is full of danger and death, I, Ning Hongye, will draw my blade against the heavens and dye the imperial city red!”
As her words fell, her aura surged, her long hair billowing without wind.
This was the true presence of a 7th stage Grandmaster.
Her eyes locked onto Xiao Yang, expecting him to retreat in fear or go report her to the Northern Suppression King.
“Hahahaha!”
Instead, Xiao Yang burst out laughing.
“Miss Ning, you’re planning to rebel? You should’ve told me sooner! Heaven has fallen; the yellow heavens shall rise. I, Xiao Yang, am no great man, but I’ll lend you my strength!”
“You… You really want to help me?”
Ning Hongye was stunned.
What kind of reaction was this?
“Of course! Who says women are inferior to men? Who says a woman… can’t become Empress?!”
Every word from Xiao Yang echoed like a thunderclap.
Ning Hongye’s body trembled, then slowly looked at him.
And suddenly… she smiled.
Just a faint smile, but like a hundred flowers blooming, its brilliance surpassed the mortal world.
Then Ning Hongye softly spoke, like swearing a vow that carried the weight of mountains.
“Xiao Yang, if one day I become Empress… I will grant you the title of King Equal to Me!”
“Ning and Xiao… shall share the world!”