“Bian Daren, why so agitated?” Wen Heshen looked at him with pity. “You’re willing to let everyone in Northern Liang accompany your family in death, while I merely wish to find my elder brother. In each of his reincarnations, I seek him out, make him remember me, then watch helplessly as he cannot escape aging, sickness, and death. Then I find him again, only to be forgotten… Anyone would go mad from this. I don’t want him to forget me anymore. I want him to be like me—neither aging nor dying, remembering me forever. Do you understand?”
Bian Cang looked at him in disbelief. “Madman! You’re just a delusional madman!”
“Initially it was just a wild fantasy,” Wen Heshen slowly raised his head, looking toward Wang Dian and Liang Ye. “But there are always people in this world who are favored by the Heavenly Way, born to surpass the vast majority. The Human Emperor attained the Dao—do mere mortals even deserve to compare?”
He suddenly rushed toward the iron cage, ignoring the burning of the talismans on it, staring intently at Liang Ye. “Do you know why I chose Northern Liang? Because I calculated you would be born here. That fool Liang Cong truly believed he could achieve immortality after just a bit of flattery. Cui Yuxian was ambitious; a little instigation was enough to make her discontented. The idiot Bian Yunxin willingly worked for me once I got hold of her weakness. And your parents, those self-proclaimed clever people, ended up digging their own graves. Even Bian Cang is just a pitiful creature blinded by vengeance… All of you, fighting for power, pursuing fame and fortune, so ambitious, yet so easy to manipulate.
With just a few words of provocation, I could watch blood flow like rivers as you destroyed each other. Human nature has always been thus—why shouldn’t I exploit it? In your own words, common people commit no crime, but those with treasures invite calamity. Blame yourselves for being born weak and destined to be trampled upon.”
“But now you’re the one locked in a cage,” Wang Dian supported Liang Ye, a cold smile spreading across his face. “What you’re saying is merely an excuse for your actions. Regardless of whether the so-called ‘immortal bones’ exist, have you ever asked your ‘elder brother’ what he wants? Forcing your own will upon others isn’t caring for them—it’s selfishness.”
Wen Heshen stared at him with an inscrutable expression. “A complete failure like you has no right to criticize me!”
“Just because you’re in the cage and I’m outside it,” Wang Dian smiled slightly. “Just because your elder brother now belongs to me.”
Those words completely ignited Wen Heshen’s fury. “I’ll kill you!”
Yet no matter how he struggled and destroyed, the cage that he had once made Liang Cong use to imprison the white tiger now imprisoned him just as effectively.
“Wen Heshen, you have committed evil deeds for years, thinking that being a cultivator allows you to do whatever you please and despise all living beings. Yet you don’t realize the world operates according to its own laws. Forcibly changing fate only leads to suffering the consequences—your decrepit body is the best proof of this,” Yue Jingming slowly sheathed his sword. “Even if we hadn’t executed heaven’s justice today, you would eventually face retribution.”
“I despise self-righteous people like you the most.” Wen Heshen’s gaze moved past them to Cui Qi in the wheelchair. “You know nothing! My brother died to save others, yet those ungrateful people lived happily while my brother suffered through reincarnations, each life filled with misfortune, unable to escape aging, sickness, and death. He had extraordinary talent—why should he be reduced to an ordinary person? Why should someone like Liang Ye, who has done nothing, be born with immortal bones and directly ascend to immortality? I cannot accept this!”
“Utter nonsense,” Liang Ye finally cursed after listening for so long. He leaned weakly against Wang Dian, looking at him pitifully. “He’s so unreasonable, bullying Zhen just because Zhen has good potential.”
Wang Dian looked at him, both amused and exasperated, and stroked the back of his neck tenderly. “Let’s ignore him.”
Liang Ye grinned, then his face twisted in pain as he buried his bloodied face in Wang Dian’s neck. “It hurts so much…”
He mumbled something else, but Wang Dian couldn’t hear clearly in the rain. He reached out to ruffle Liang Ye’s hair, smiling. “What was that?”
“You smell so good, Wang Dian. I want to make you cry from pleasure,” Liang Ye muttered softly, then secretly kissed his neck.
Behind them were the shocked court officials frozen in disbelief, before them were the solemn elders Xiao Chunhe and Yue Jingming, and beside them was Wen Heshen howling in collapse, glaring at them with bloodshot eyes.
And there was Liang Ye, shamelessly and unapologetically embracing him and acting inappropriately.
Although the pouring rain made it difficult to hear what Liang Ye was saying, some with good hearing could still make it out. Especially when meeting Xiao Chunhe’s slightly strange expression, Wang Dian’s ears uncontrollably began to burn as he gritted his teeth and said, “Shut your dog mouth.”
Heavy rain poured down, and the Suixue Garden was covered with fallen red petals.
Yue Jingming, Xiao Chunhe, and Xiang Meng, who had rushed over despite serious injuries, began to deal with Wen Heshen in the cage. Bian Cang knelt on the ground, smiling vacantly at the iron cage containing Wen Heshen. At the entrance, the court officials looked uncertainly at the two emperors embracing each other, some even doubting their eyes and rubbing them vigorously. Chong Heng and Chang Ying led the surviving imperial guards to surround the traitors. Black flags embroidered with the character “Liang” were planted throughout the palace. Although most of the explosives had been discovered and removed in time, countless palace buildings had been destroyed.
A signal shot straight into the sky, bursting through the heavy rain.
In a small courtyard, Yang Wujiu supported the trembling Yang Man as they looked toward the sky.
On Shizai Mountain, Liang Huan lay sleeping soundly in Baili Cheng’an’s arms. Long Xiang excitedly came in and pushed open the window, gesturing for them to look at the signal in the sky.
The citizens of the capital fearfully peeked out to see that brilliant point of light.
Jiao Yan waved his arm, and countless soldiers waiting for orders rushed into the noble houses. Warm blood spilled into the cold muddy water. West of the capital, Lu Shu looked at the signal representing victory and shouted loudly. “The traitors have been suppressed! Long live His Majesty!”
“The traitors have been suppressed! Long live His Majesty!”
“The traitors have been suppressed! Long live His Majesty!”
“The traitors have been suppressed! Long live His Majesty!”
The thunderous shouts shook the heavens as the downpour gradually subsided.
In the midst of the noisy crowd, Wang Dian ignored the curious or inquiring gazes around them and brushed aside Liang Ye’s wet hair from his forehead, revealing his smooth brow. “The antidote is with this person. We’ll have to trouble Sixteenth Brother.”
Cui Qi pushed his wheelchair to a stop in front of them, his gaze moving between their identical faces with a slight frown. “Twins?”
“…” Wang Dian pushed away Liang Ye’s head, which kept trying to nestle into his neck, and gave a dry laugh. “Sixteenth Brother, this matter is rather complicated to explain.”
“No wonder you called him so naturally.” Cui Qi looked at Wang Dian. “You have a much better temper than His Majesty.”
Liang Ye raised his head and bared his teeth at Cui Qi ominously. “Look at the kinds of people you’ve provoked. If you weren’t surnamed Liang, I’d—mmph.”
Wang Dian quickly covered his mouth. “Please forgive him, Sixteenth Brother. His wounds are painful, so he’s taking his temper out on everyone.”
Liang Ye immediately bit Wang Dian’s palm.
“…I understand.” Cui Qi said coolly. “Do you need my help?”
“It would be best if Sixteenth Brother is willing to help.” Wang Dian subtly relaxed. “His Majesty has been poisoned with something called Maple Frost Fall. According to Master Yue, it should be a poison concocted by this person. However… is Sixteenth Brother comfortable with this?”
“He’s just a demon-worshipping charlatan, speaking complete nonsense.” Cui Qi’s expression remained impassive. “Your Majesty, the government reforms are almost complete. It’s time to consider the matter of banning these cultists.”
Liang Ye looked toward Yue Jingming and Xiao Chunhe, then turned back to bare his teeth at Cui Qi again. Wang Dian grabbed him firmly and said seriously, “His Majesty says he will consider it carefully.”
Cui Qi pushed his wheelchair expressionlessly toward the cage. Liang Ye shook off Wang Dian’s hand with his bloodied arm, narrowing his eyes. “Who gave you permission to decide?”
“It was just saying you’d consider it,” Wang Dian soothed, stroking his blood-covered hand. “Although Master and the others have rendered great service, we can’t reward them excessively.”
“Zhen knows what Zhen is doing.” Liang Ye lowered his head to lick the blood marks on Wang Dian’s palm, snorting softly. “You used quite some force.”
“You scared me to death.” Wang Dian sighed in relief. “First, let’s properly treat your wounds. No matter how good your martial arts are, you shouldn’t fight like this. Next time you dare to do this, I’ll—”
Liang Ye pretended to turn his head and, in full view of everyone, his lips quickly brushed against the corner of Wang Dian’s mouth. Then he looked at him innocently, blinking his eyes. “I’m sorry, I was wrong.”
“……” Wang Dian unconsciously licked his lips and narrowed his eyes, clicking his tongue.
The iron cage in Suixue Garden was something Wang Dian had noticed when he first arrived and was idly reading the imperial records. Later, when he and Liang Ye were fooling around here, he had even tripped over the iron chains in the flower bushes, but hadn’t thought much of it. After all, this place was rarely visited—mainly because that rascal Liang Ye liked begonia flowers and had imperiously claimed Suixue Garden as his own once he became emperor, not allowing anyone else near it.
“Such a pity about these flowers,” Wang Dian said, holding his hand as they stepped over the blood-stained begonias. As for the various gazes from others, Wang Dian paid them no mind. After all, Liang Ye’s storytelling ability rivaled that of a teahouse storyteller—he could always find a suitable excuse.
“Will plant more for you next year,” Liang Ye replied. “Zhen will also hunt a big tiger for you to play with during this year’s autumn hunt.”
Wang Dian laughed, knowing he had never been to an autumn hunt before. “Alright, let’s have some fun. Bring Sixteenth Brother, Ah Huan, and Chong Heng along. I remember Ah Huan likes little rabbits.”
“He is a little rabbit himself, a crybaby with no ambition,” Liang Ye pouted, showing no embarrassment at badmouthing the son right in front of the father. Meeting Cui Qi’s cold gaze, he stared back defiantly.
“…” Cui Qi expressionlessly turned his head away.
No one knew what he had said to Wen Heshen, but the man in the cage knelt on the ground, glaring at Cui Qi as if he wanted to skin him alive. “You’re not him! You can’t be him! He would never say such things!”
Cui Qi raised his eyes coldly. “I am myself. Hand over the antidote, and perhaps you can keep your corpse intact.”
Wen Heshen shook his head in disbelief. “You would let me die for him?!”
“Zhen’s elder brother naturally sides with Zhen,” Liang Ye scoffed lightly.
Wen Heshen howled in collapse inside the cage. His eyes bloodshot, he suddenly crashed against the cage, breaking through the talismans and grabbing at Cui Qi in the wheelchair. Liang Ye seized his wrist, crushing the already decaying bones. Nearby, Yue Jingming and Xiao Chunhe hurried to repair the damaged paper talismans.
In the midst of the chaos, a cold arrow suddenly flew through the air.
A strong scent of begonia suddenly permeated Suixue Garden.
Liang Ye, still holding Wen Heshen’s arm, turned his head in confusion as the chaotic voices around him suddenly became extremely distant.
Wang Dian slowly lowered his head. Rich blood soaked through his dark outer robe, and from the arrow that had pierced his heart, a drop of blood slowly fell onto the crushed flower petals.
The dark clouds in the sky began to gradually disperse. Warm, gentle sunlight broke through the thick cloud layer, shining down on the devastation throughout Suixue Garden.
