206: Chapter 206 A Farewell Like a Mirage

Su Daji listened quietly.

One had to admit.

Though this plan sounded incredibly risky, it was logically feasible.

Exploiting the enemy's greed and rashness, using the terrain to cause casualties, and creating chaos to escape.

Su Daji was, after all, the Saintess of the Hehuan Sect; she wasn't entirely ignorant of strategy.

Thinking it over, she felt this might be the only way to create a sliver of hope for the soldiers and civilians in Chaoge City in their current desperate situation.

But...

"But Your Majesty..."

"After I seal the gates, how will you get out?"

"Besides, it's too dangerous for you to go in alone."

"In case they have too many people, or..."

"There are no 'in cases'."

Su Chen interrupted her, wrapping one arm around Su Daji's slender waist and pulling the small woman directly into his embrace.

The distance between them was so close.

So close she could almost hear his breathing clearly.

"Demon Concubine Su Daji, trust me."

"Since I dare to go in, I naturally have a way to escape."

"You've forgotten, I can mobilize a bit of the Power of National Destiny."

"Though it's not enough for a long battle, it's sufficient to create some chaos at the critical moment to escape."

"When the fire causes chaos, I will leave through the secret passage inside the building and meet up with you outside."

"Remember, no matter what you see or hear, do not hesitate."

"Light the fire immediately, then retreat."

"This is an order, and also... a promise between us."

He lowered his head, his forehead against hers.

Their noses touched, their breaths intertwining.

In that moment.

Some absurd thoughts inexplicably arose in Su Daji's heart.

This wasn't the closest they had ever been (after all, they had shared 'negative distance' contact before).

But.

Only this contact.

Made her clearly feel that while their physical distance was so close.

Su Chen's familiar face before her suddenly made her afraid to touch it.

Fearing that they were drifting apart.

"Demon Concubine Su Daji, help me this once."

"After finishing this last task, we will leave together."

"Though the Yin Shang Dynasty has fallen, as the King, I have saved up some family assets."

"Plus the resources from your Sister Jiang's side..."

"No matter how far we go, there will always be a place for us."

"I promise you, I will never let you live in fear again."

Su Daji looked at his handsome face so close at hand.

She nodded heavily.

"Mhm!"

"Demon Concubine Su Daji understands."

"Rest assured, Your Majesty, Demon Concubine Su Daji will certainly do it."

"You... you must also be careful."

"You must come out safely."

"Demon Concubine Su Daji... will be waiting for you!"

"Good."

Su Chen smiled.

For the last time, he leaned down.

And deeply kissed her lips.

That kiss was lingering and forceful.

So long-lasting.

To the point where neither wanted to pull away, and neither made any move to do so.

Until it felt as if they were drawing each other's souls into the kiss.

Only then did he release her.

Stepping back, his gaze lingered on her face for a moment.

As if firmly imprinting something.

"Go, Beloved Consort."

"Gather the people and prepare the incendiaries."

"In half an incense stick's time, I shall set out."

Su Daji forcefully wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and gave him a deep look.

No longer hesitating.

She turned and, like a wisp of purple smoke, quickly disappeared into the shadows of the corridor outside the hall.

Watching her leave, Su Chen finally showed a satisfied smile.

"Is it about to end..."

"Damn it, if I'd known this round of investment would be so difficult, why on earth would I have chosen it?"

"What Saintess of the Hehuan Sect? I thought it would be such a good dungeon."

Emotions affected Su Chen's fragile body.

He covered his mouth and coughed a few times, suppressed.

Opening his palm, there was another pool of dark red blood.

A way to escape?

Heh.

He slowly straightened up, adjusted his collar, and smoothed the wrinkles on his sleeves.

Walking to the entrance of the main hall, Su Chen looked up at the sword rack holding hundreds of famous swords.

Then.

From the bottom shelf, he casually pulled out the most unremarkable, ordinary bronze sword.

He stepped forward, never looking back.

Alone.

He walked out of this palace that symbolized royal power.

The moment he stepped out.

A bird in its nest outside the palace window seemed to look back at its home for a split second.

Then, it flew toward the sky without looking back.

...

Twilight descended, and the setting sun was like blood.

Su Chen walked alone on the empty long street.

Strolling leisurely and comfortably.

If it weren't for the once prosperous market now having its shops closed, doors desolate, and the ground in a mess.

His dashing and unrestrained appearance.

Was exactly like an ordinary emperor inspecting the streets of his own capital.

The wind swirled with dust, whistling through the alleys, lifting his wide robes and long white hair.

He walked very slowly, with steady steps and a straight back.

Like a green pine refusing to bend in the wind and snow.

He tilted his head slightly, looking toward the horizon.

The sky was vast, and the twilight clouds drifted.

Dyed in layers of orange-red by the afterglow of the setting sun.

So beautiful.

That was a sky untouched by any industrial pollution.

In a daze, Su Chen remembered.

The first day he arrived in Chaoge.

Outside the window, the weather seemed just as fine.

The sunset glow hanging in the corner of the sky looked much like the shape of an orange-red flower.

As if holding a silent funeral for this royal capital that was about to fall.

The sky was so high, so far away.

Immortals and gods resided above, coldly watching the rise and fall of the mortal world and the collapse of dynasties.

All living beings were like ants, struggling to survive, entangled in love and hate.

In the end, they all turned into nothing more than a line of cold ink in history books.

Or a wisp of smoke scattered by the wind.

How insignificant.

And how... laughable.

"I wonder how future generations... will judge me?"

Su Chen said to himself.

"But, none of that matters anymore."

"If the Great Yin civilization is also one of the transcendent civilizations awakened on Blue Star, I could really go and learn about it..."

He continued walking unhurriedly.

By the roadside, several corpses lay scattered.

Judging by their attire, they were the last group of loyal soldiers and civilians in Chaoge City.

They still held their broken weapons tightly, their bodies covered in wounds.

Even in death, they faced the direction of the royal palace.

Using their flesh and blood to make a final, futile stand.

Perhaps they didn't understand even in death.

Why the monarch they were loyal to unto death would issue such an order of "non-resistance."

But even so.

Stubborn to the point of being almost endearing, they still made this choice.

Su Chen's footsteps paused slightly beside an exceptionally young corpse.

It was a youth no more than fifteen or sixteen years old.

His face still held a touch of childishness, and his chest had been pierced by a spear.

The blood had long since coagulated and turned black.

His wide-open eyes stared emptily at the sky.

As if questioning something.