“The Heavenly Prison is too cold, I want to stay in yours”
Li Xuehong’s face was filled with rage. “Qin Li, it is one thing for you to humiliate me, but Linchuan is the Chixiao General of my Great Jing. He is not someone who can be easily bewitched or bought by your mere words.”
“Furthermore, Linchuan and I share an honorable and profound bond. How can a crude, superficial person like you, who acts only on lustful whims, possibly compare?”
Only then did Qin Li deign to spare him a glance. “Heh, Li Xuehong. You still do not seem to understand your situation. If you had half the talent of your tongue, you would not have ended up like this today.”
Nie Dong gripped his blade and immediately stepped forward two paces. Qin Li raised his hand to stop him and tilted his chin. “Bring that person here for Prince Xuehong to see.”
Nie Dong nodded and turned away. A moment later, Qin Li’s sworn brother, Qin Yongyi, led in a man whose stature was similar to Li Xuehong’s.
Originally, the man only shared about sixty or seventy percent of his likeness, but after his face was painted and modified, he appeared seventy to eighty percent identical. He unfurled a bright yellow scroll with both hands and read the abdication decree with rhythmic cadence, mimicking Li Xuehong’s mannerisms perfectly.
Li Xuehong gave a disdainful snort. “A fake is a fake. Any official in the court could see that he is not me.”
Qin Li laughed twice, as if mocking his naivety. “So what? I hold the power of life and death. Even if I point at a deer and call it a horse, who would say otherwise? Who would dare?”
“After you are dead, who will cry out against injustice for a corpse?” Qin Li looked back at Xie Linchuan. “Him?”
Li Xuehong’s eyes grew dark, and he remained silent.
Qin Li gently stroked the sword at his waist. The hilt was carved with the head of a dragon looking upward. With a sharp clang, the blade unsheathed.
He said coldly, “I am not some nanny from your Eastern Palace; I have no patience to coax you. Nor am I some righteous hero.”
“I, Qin Li, believe in only one principle: those who follow me prosper, and those who oppose me perish!”
“If you accept today, you live. Honestly become the King of Shun, and you can spend the rest of your life in the capital in peace. If you refuse, I will send you to the afterlife. Do not think too highly of yourself—whether you live or die is not that important to me.”
Li Xuehong’s blood surged, his face turning a ghastly pale green as his whole body trembled. “Then why haven’t you struck yet!”
The moment his words fell, a cold light flashed!
Li Xuehong’s vision blurred, and he felt the hair on his body stand on end. The sharp tip of the sword pressed directly against his chest. With just a little force, it could easily gouge out his heart.
No one knew how much blood of fallen souls that precious sword of Qin Li’s had drunk, but under the flickering candlelight, it reflected a strange, blood-red tint. Murderous intent filled the air, and even through layers of clothing, the chilling aura felt like being drenched in ice.
However, he did not stab downward after all. Another hand darted out from the side like lightning, firmly grabbing the hand that held the sword.
“General Xie.” Qin Li’s gaze followed the arm until it landed on Xie Linchuan’s face. He suddenly smiled, the murderous intent and ferocity in his eyes receding back into their cage bit by bit. “Are you already feeling protective of your master?”
Xie Linchuan: “…” This misunderstanding was not going to be cleared up anytime soon.
His voice was calm and steady. “My Highness did not say he refused to agree. Since the Yao King has the heart to conquer the world, why not show a bit more magnanimity?”
“The Third Prince, Li Fenghao, has already spread news everywhere that Prince Xuehong was killed by you. Even if the surrendered officials dare not speak out, they will feel personally threatened in secret. It was not easy for the Yao King to win this land; wouldn’t it be more beneficial to show mercy to the people of the world?”
Qin Li scrutinized the other’s expression as if getting to know him all over again. He smiled and said, “Those are beautiful words.”
“However, I am curious—why don’t I see a hint of anger in you? Is it because your mind is too deep, or are you afraid I will kill your old master and dare not show it?”
Qin Li reached out his other hand, appearing as though he wanted to pinch the other’s chin. However, Xie Linchuan, who was prepared, clamped down on his wrist.
How could he answer that? In his past life, he was more than just angry—he had attacked directly. The result was obvious: Qin Li’s bad temper was not something to be trifled with, and Nie Dong and the group of guards behind him were not just for show.
He didn’t know how to respond for a moment, so he remained silent. In Qin Li’s eyes, this was a silent admission of his suspicion.
He narrowed his eyes and gave a cold, cynical sneer. “Do you know what I hate most about Li Xuehong? It isn’t that he is untalented and shiftless yet was born royalty.”
Qin Li did not pull his hand back, allowing the other to hold it. His tone softened as he spoke to himself: “It is that even though he is in such a miserable state and can no longer give you any benefits, he still has your loyalty. You consider everything for him, even casting aside your own life and honor.”
Li Xuehong clearly misunderstood as well, his eyes turning slightly red as he looked at him.
Xie Linchuan wondered if it was just his imagination, but he felt a hint of envy in Qin Li’s words. He suddenly remembered his past life, when Qin Li had mocked himself for having nothing and no value to be used. The latter half of that sentence had never been finished. He wondered what it was that Qin Li “longed for.”
It seemed that in Qin Li’s worldview, the only connection between people was whether they were useful or useless. If you are useful, you deserve to have; if you are useless, you should be discarded.
So when he was at his end, closing his eyes to wait for death, he didn’t blame or hate me for my “betrayal,” was that it, Qin Li?
Xie Linchuan gazed deeply into Qin Li’s dark eyes, suddenly feeling an interest in exploring the other’s heart. Just as this thought rose, he heard Qin Li say lazily, “How much longer are you going to hold onto me, General Xie?”
Xie Linchuan: “…” It was definitely an illusion.
He immediately let go and added, “I will advise Prince Xuehong to think twice. I ask the Yao King to show mercy.”
Qin Li raised an eyebrow. “I can show mercy, but you haven’t answered my previous question. Instead of following a little white-face who has lost his future, why not become my, Qin Li’s, man? How about it?”
The topic that had been interrupted by Li Xuehong earlier was stubbornly brought back by him. Beside him, Qin Yongyi secretly revealed a look that said, “As expected.”
Xie Linchuan frowned, looking at him with a complicated expression. Although he had long experienced Qin Li’s arrogant and overbearing behavior—believing that becoming Emperor meant he could do whatever he wanted and control everything—it did not mean he could accept it.
Xie Linchuan weighed his words. “My relationship with Prince Xuehong is not what you think. I do not like men. Why must the Yao King force someone against their will?”
The corner of Qin Li’s mouth curled up. “What if I insist on forcing you? This world was snatched by me.”
His gaze swept over Xie Linchuan as if stripping him bare, making no effort to hide the naked desire in his eyes. It was as if he took Li Xuehong’s comment about being “crude and superficial” as a badge of honor rather than a disgrace.
“You say you don’t like men because you haven’t tasted a man yet. Once you have, you will like it.”
Xie Linchuan’s expression was subtle: “…” Whether he liked it or not was hard to say, but he feared Qin Li might not like it when the time came.
Li Xuehong had managed to calm down, but hearing this, his fury flared up again. “Qin Li, you are so despicable! Do you have any of the dignity of a king? If you want me to write the abdication decree, I will write it!”
“If you want to kill me, kill me! Do not think you can use me to threaten Linchuan!”
“Oh, that is true.” Qin Li’s eyes were cold and sharp. He pointed the sword at Li Xuehong’s heart and threatened, “Didn’t you beg me for mercy? If you want him to live, then be obedient.”
Hearing this, Xie Linchuan suddenly felt a sense of finality, as if what was meant to come had finally arrived. In the past life, this was exactly what Qin Li did, using every threat and lure possible.
At that time, he was extremely angry. In his twenty-five years of life, he had experienced the hardship of nearly dropping out of school due to poverty, as well as the glory of studying abroad at a prestigious university. He never thought that one day he would face the absurd moment of having his dignity trampled upon and being forcibly taken by another man.
Not only did he resolutely refuse, but he also went against his own principle of “not hitting the face.” In front of all of Qin Li’s subordinates and guards, he gave him a vicious blow, causing Qin Li’s face to be so swollen he couldn’t see anyone for days.
Unexpectedly, his fierce resistance did not make Qin Li kill him in a rage. Instead, it further aroused a perverted desire for conquest, leading Qin Li to imprison him in the palace to force his submission. They had been at each other’s throats, both sides suffering, and in the end, no one got what they wanted.
By now, he no longer wanted to carry hatred or take revenge on anyone. He didn’t expect that after going around in circles, he would return to the crossroads of fate. This time, perhaps he could try to rewrite that ending.
Since resistance would only trigger Qin Li’s desire for conquest, if he did the opposite, perhaps Qin Li would only be interested for a short time. Or maybe his pride as an Emperor would settle after the novelty wore off, and finding it boring, he would let him go.
Xie Linchuan remained expressionless and silent for a long time. The intense internal struggle in his mind did not show on his face at all. After a long wait, just as Qin Li was becoming impatient, Xie Linchuan suddenly nodded decisively. “I can agree to your request. However, the Heavenly Prison is too cold; I want to stay in your palace.”
As soon as Xie Linchuan said this, everyone in the cell was shocked.
Qin Li: “…?”
His hand holding the sword stiffened slightly, nearly cutting Li Xuehong’s outer robe. He fell into silence, staring at Xie Linchuan with great surprise and confusion. Even though he had made such a threat, he didn’t actually think Xie Linchuan would agree. He just wanted to see what their reaction would be.
Who would have thought Xie Linchuan would agree so readily?
Amidst the surprise, the way Qin Yongyi looked at Xie Linchuan took on a hint of amusement. Everyone said the Chixiao General of the Kingdom of Jing was unparalleled in loyalty and courage; now he was willing to yield to the enemy who destroyed his nation? Was it because of his deep affection for Li Xuehong, being willing to suffer humiliation to save him, or was he simply afraid of death and willing to sell his dignity?
Nie Dong frowned, sensing that Xie Linchuan was not that kind of person. He stepped forward and whispered to Qin Li, “Marshal, be careful of a trick.” He looked worried, likely fearing that Xie Linchuan was “enduring hardships to plan a future revenge,” yielding only to find an opportunity for a desperate assassination.
Qin Li gave Nie Dong a cold look. He wasn’t stupid. For Xie Linchuan to agree so easily, if it wasn’t a pretense, could it be that he actually liked him? He at least had that much self-awareness.
While steadfast resistance was commendable for its loyalty, it did not help the overall situation and would only seem like blind devotion. Being able to yield when necessary and judging the situation was the mark of a clever man. Regardless of Xie Linchuan’s purpose, he could not escape his grasp.
The cleverer the prey, the more interesting the conquest.
Thinking of this, Qin Li gave Xie Linchuan a meaningful look and nodded. “Very well.” Having said that, he ordered his men to take him away.
“Linchuan! Do not be foolish! Do not do something stupid for my sake!” After a brief moment of shock, Li Xuehong trembled so much he could barely stand, his pale face flushed with anger again.
Xie Linchuan gave him one last look before leaving. “Your Highness, take care of yourself in the future.”
Without a “vengeful ally” like him in this life, perhaps Li Xuehong could live peacefully as the King of Shun.
A blank imperial decree was placed before Li Xuehong.
“Write, Prince Xuehong. Oh, I mean, Prince Shun.” Qin Li smiled, his eyes moving. He suddenly said, “I was wrong just now. Your life is still somewhat useful.”
Li Xuehong’s eyes glared at Qin Li as if he wanted to eat him alive. Seeing Xie Linchuan’s back disappear without a single look behind, Li Xuehong seemed to lose all his strength. Biting his lip, he tremblingly picked up the brush.
It was late winter, and the spring chill was biting. Amidst the withered surroundings, a few weeping willows were waiting to sprout. The moment he stepped out of the Heavenly Prison, the white-gold sunlight above was so piercing that Xie Linchuan could barely open his eyes.
He reached out his hand to feel the slight warmth and the scent of freedom. He knew this was only temporary, but the path ahead had already changed.
The things of the past died yesterday; the things of the future are born today.
This time, he would no longer be the person pushed along by fate like in his previous life. In this life, everything must be held firmly in his own hands whether it be Qin Li, Li Xuehong, or his own destiny.