Strategy to Capture That Scum Gong

Chapter 175 - On How to Properly be Single for Life

Translated by Eve

Edited by Serefina

18. On How to Properly be Single for Life

The sword landed against Xiao Yan’s back, breaking his skin. Blood splattered into the air.

The man who swung hadn’t expected Xiao Yan’s sudden arrival. A vicious glint shone in his eyes and he forgot about Xie He, directly aiming to kill Xiao Yan! Xiao Yan dodged to the side, one arm looped around Xie He. He brandished his own sword to block the blow. Meanwhile, his guards began to engage the rest of his pursuers!

Xie He had thought that he wouldn’t be able to escape. He had never thought that Xiao Yan would suddenly appear. He was held firmly in Xiao Yan’s arms and the clang of cold steel sounded around him. He could hear the sound of swords cutting through flesh and slicing through bone. It was a bloody mess all around him.

Xiao Yan held Xie He tightly, which meant that he could only fend off the enemy with one hand. Although he was strong, he could not hold on for long, outnumbered as he was. He was also protecting Xie He, so he ended up taking two more blows. Blood spurted out of his wounds!

The man saw how concerned Xiao Yan was about Xie He and his attacks grew more vicious. He suddenly sliced Xiao Yan’s arm, causing blood to splatter onto Xie He’s face.

Xie He was deathly pale. Xiao Yan’s warm blood on his face felt scorching hot. He bit down heavily on his bottom lip, preventing himself from making a sound. If he were to cry out, it would only affect Xiao Yan negatively.

Xiao Yan was currently far from the Capital. Although the people he had brought were elites, they were small in number. Moreover, the remnants of the Crown Prince’s faction were fierce, like cornered beasts, staking it all in this one gamble. It was a bitter, desperate fight! Xiao Yan’s guard saw that things did not look good and rushed over to Xiao Yan. “Your Highness, leave first! We will follow behind!”

Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes. He lowered his head to glance at Xie He in his arms. He then grit his teeth and swung at the man behind him before fleeing!

The man wanted to follow but Xiao Yan’s guards quickly put their lives on the line to stop him.

Xiao Yan carried Xie He away. He did not speak a word, his expression one of cold concentration. He quickly traversed through the forest.

Gradually, the sounds of battle behind them quieted down until they could not be heard any more. But Xiao Yan knew that it was not safe here. Although his injuries were severe, he still persisted onwards.

Xie He had not dared to speak back there. Now, held in Xiao Yan’s arms, his eyes reddened as he took in how Xiao Yan’s clothes were drenched in blood. He recalled how Xiao Yan had protected him without any regard for himself. He said, “Why...did you come...?”

Xiao Yan looked at Xie He and smiled. The frigid, bloodied face softened. He said, “I told you that I would always protect you.”

Xie He’s lips paled and there was an audible tremble to his voice. “But...you’re hurt....”

Xiao Yan acted nonchalant. He said with a smile, “Just a flesh wound, it’s nothing to worry about. Besides, it’s only expected that I should save you. If it weren’t for me, the Crown Prince would never have targeted you.”

When Xiao Yan said this, a sliver of self-deprecation appeared in his eyes.

Just like back then, when he had Cui Shao’s case redressed, all of these things were things that he should do. It was just that he hadn’t the courage to tell Xie He this back then. He had pushed down his conscience and enjoyed Xie He’s gratitude.... In the end, he could not blame anyone else for his fate of never being able to obtain Xie He’s forgiveness.

Xie He looked down. A complicated emotion arose in his eyes. No matter the reason, no one should ever have to risk their own lives to save someone else....

Those people wanted to kill him because Xiao Yan loved him. And Xiao Yan wanted to save him...for no other reason except that he loved him.

It was a cycle that could not be broken. Honestly, he just wanted to be far away from all of this....

Xiao Yan kept moving forward. Suddenly, he stopped and his pupils constricted slightly. Before him stood a party of people.

The leader was Huang Lin, who was once the Crown Prince’s trusted aid. He looked haggard and cut a sorry figure. His eyes were vicious and there was a sword at his waist. He coldly asked, “Your Highness, where do you plan on going?”

Xiao Yan pursed his lips and said in a cool voice, “Huang daren, you’re forfeiting your way out. Why must you keep walking towards a dead end?”

Huang Lin laughed. A way out? Would they still have a way out if the Crown Prince died? Only if Xiao Yan died would they have a way out! He shouted, “Hehe, still so arrogant even when facing death.... Kill him!”

Xiao Yan placed Xie He down and gave him a gentle smile. “Wait for me.”

He then turned around, facing the men head-on!

In order to prevent anyone from getting close to Xie He, Xiao Yan’s every strike was fatal. He also didn’t care about himself. He abandoned all thoughts of defense and focused on offense. One against ten—he was like an unstoppable god of war!

Huang Lin had been calm at the start. Later on, he started to panic. They had made an ambush here because they had thought it would be easy to kill Xiao Yan on his own. They had not expected for Xiao Yan to be so strong. Wasn’t he just a pampered prince? Why was he so hard to kill? Xiao Yan in a killing frenzy was even more terrifying than a demon!

Xiao Yan killed the last person and walked towards Huang Lin with blood dripping off his sword. Huang Lin was already scared out of his wits. He turned around and ran! But how could he escape Xiao Yan? He fell to the ground with one stab through the neck and died before he could even close his eyes.

He couldn’t accept this! He had nearly killed Xiao Yan!

Xiao Yan pulled his sword out, his body faltering. Not a single one of these people could be left alive. If even one escaped, they would bring the rest of the traitors to kill them. He had used the last of his strength to kill these people. Right now, he was already completely spent.

He stabbed his sword into the earth, supporting himself with it, and spat out a mouthful of blood.

Xie He stared at the terrible scene before him. Corpses littered the ground. Only Xiao Yan was left standing.

But Xiao Yan didn’t come back to him. He stood there, not moving....

Xie He didn’t know why but a baffling fear began to rise inside of him. He struggled to stand up and stumbled over, arriving before Xiao Yan. His voice shook, “Your Highness.”

Xiao Yan slowly raised his head. His face was all splattered with blood, his hair was matted with blood, and his body was also covered in red...it was like he was a person made out of just blood....

He smiled at Xie He. “You should leave.”

Xie He looked at him in shock. “But you...what about you...?”

Xiao Yan smiled. “I’ll wait for my subordinates here. I’m sorry that I cannot escort you. Go first. I will be fine.”

Fine? Xie He’s eyes reddened.

His current condition was fine?

Xie He didn’t know from where the courage came. Originally, this was the person he least wanted to see. But right now, how could he abandon him and leave on his own? He grit his teeth and said, “We’ll leave together.”

When Xiao Yan heard this, his eyes filled with a gentle love. Go together.... He also wished for that. But he could not walk right now. Xiao Yan shook his head. His voice was low and pleasant to the ear as he chuckled. “Leave quickly. Don’t worry about me.”

It was not safe here. Who knew when the enemy would catch up? His own reinforcements would not arrive in time. As long as he stayed here and those people managed to kill him, they would not chase after Xie He.

It would be good like that. He owed Xie He so much. He could repay him like this. Unfortunately, there would never be a way to make up for all the hurt he had caused the other. That was his only regret.

Xie He didn’t listen. He pulled Xiao Yan by the arm. Who would have expected that the seemingly insurmountable, strong man would collapse from a single, gentle push. He fell to the ground with a thud.

Xie He was startled. He stared at Xiao Yan, who laid on the floor, as if he had yet to comprehend what had happened....

Xiao Yan had no more strength. He lay on the ground and smiled at Xie He. “Look, I can’t move anymore. But don’t worry. I killed them all. My subordinates will be here soon. I won’t be in danger.”

Xie He’s eyes filled with tears. His gaze was fixed on Xiao Yan as he spat out two words. “You’re lying.”

Xiao Yan let out a bitter smile.

A determined light flashed through Xie He’s eyes. He suddenly staggered over to a corpse and tore off its clothes. He then tied it around Xiao Yan’s chest and used it to lug Xiao Yan away with much difficulty.

Xiao Yan watched Xie He, in a daze.... It was like he had gone back in time. Back then, the Crown Prince had sent someone to assassinate him. When he had fallen in that desolate forest and was drowned in despair, waiting for death, this person had appeared. He had dragged Xiao Yan away and had carefully hidden him.

He stared at Xie He’s frail body. The other would fall every two steps. But he would always climb back up and continue to drag Xiao Yan onwards.... Xiao Yan felt his eyes tear up.

Xiao Yan’s voice was raspy and filled with pain. “Let me go. You won’t be able to leave with me dragging you down..”

Xie He turned his head around. “Don’t speak.”

Xiao Yan met with Xie He’s stubborn eyes. His lips parted but no words came out.... At that moment, he realized that Xie He would not abandon him. Any and all words were useless. This was the person he loved dearly.... Even if Xie He hated him, he would not abandon him. He was kind and persisting... This was what Xiao Yan had always loved about him.

But if this continued, they would only end up dying together today.

Xie He struggled to pull Xiao Yan forward. His legs could not sustain the weight. Xiao Yan was also too badly injured, so he had no choice but to advance very slowly. Xie He didn’t know how he managed to hold on for so long. But in the end, he was able to drag Xiao Yan to a rather hidden cave. It was full of vegetation.

Strictly speaking, it wasn’t a cave, but a large hole on the side of the mountain. It was just barely big enough to hold the two of them. Xie He placed Xiao Yan inside and then went outside, wiping away the traces of blood in a hurry. He then carefully made his way back into the cave.

Seeing Xie He return, Xiao Yan felt complicated. His eyes were a mix of helplessness, sadness, and profound love.

Xie He glanced at Xiao Yan and then turned his head away. He hugged his knees, sitting on the ground. He could not walk anymore. He only wished that Xiao Yan’s subordinates would come quickly.

Xiao Yan’s injuries were very severe. He felt that he would not be able to hold on for long. However, he was too worried about Xie He.... If he were to die like this, who would protect Xie He from now on? Right...there was still Qi Qing. If he died, Qi Qing would definitely protect Xie He.

Xiao Yan stared at Xie He, unwilling to look away for even a second. He was afraid that if he didn’t stare, he would not have a chance again in the future.

Xie He didn’t pay any attention to Xiao Yan, but it seemed like he could sense Xiao Yan’s eyes. That nearly tangible stare made him uncomfortable. He couldn’t help but turn his head back and ask, “What are you looking at?”

Xiao Yan gazed at him, yearning in his eyes. He chuckled quietly, “I haven’t seen you in a long time. I want to look at you.”

Xie He flushed and then turned his head away, vexed.

When Xiao Yan saw this, he felt a bit of regret. He thought that his words just now were too frivolous. Xie He wasn’t willing to pay him any attention so he could only stare at Xie He’s profile.... Slowly, his vision turned fuzzy....

Actually, Xie He had turned his head over because he didn’t want Xiao Yan to see him cry.

Why did Xiao Yan go so far for him? Did he really love him so much...? He loved him so much he was willing to give up his life. He didn’t want the nation, he only wished that Xie He would survive.... But was Xie He’s life really that important?

Even Xie He thought himself to be filthy and base. He should just die.

But Xiao Yan wasn’t willing to give up.

Time ticked by. Suddenly, the sound of footsteps approached. Xie He wiped his face and looked up with a nervous expression. Was it Xiao Yan’s people? But before he could go out and take a look, he heard a distant, murderous voice. “They must be here. Search this area! I will make sure that Prince Su does not escape with his life today!”

Despair emerged in Xie He’s eyes.

Xiao Yan had also heard that voice. His heart slowly sunk. He knew that he would probably not escape today. It was just unfortunate that Xie He would have to die with him here. He sighed quietly. He peered at Xie He with his pitch-black eyes, voice soft. “This is my fault.”

He had caused the death of his beloved’s parents and now he would cause his beloved to die.... Everywhere he went, he brought with him death and misfortune.

As a member of the imperial family, he had gained a lot but he had also lost a lot. He had fought against his father, he had fought against his brothers...this was his life.

If he had known that this day would come, Xiao Yan thought that perhaps he would have stayed away from Xie He, stayed away from the person he loved.... That way, he would not have brought misfortune unto him. Unfortunately, it was too late now.

Xie He, however, slowly regained his calm.

He turned to look at Xiao Yan. He was clearly so frail but there was an undeniable resolution in his gaze. His eyes were bright and dazzling. He walked over to Xiao Yan and bent down to stare right into his eyes.

”No, you saved me.”

He smiled. A faint, gorgeous smile lit up on his incomparably beautiful face. He suddenly dipped his head down and planted a soft kiss on Xiao Yan’s lips. He then turned and exited the cave.

Xiao Yan realized what Xie He was planning and his expression changed drastically. He shouted, “Come back! Don’t go out there!”

However, he was too weak. Although he had used all his strength to shout, all that came out was a whisper.... He stared at Xie He’s departing back as it disappeared through the leaves. He could only see the thin silhouette stagger further and further away through the cracks of the foliage.

Xiao Yan’s eyes were bloodshot. He did everything he could, but his body would not move. He could only watch helplessly as Xie He left....

Very soon, murderous shouts ripped through the air. Someone howled, “That way!”

Immediately followed the sounds of hooves and footsteps. They went further and further away. Xiao Yan had never hated his own powerlessness more than when he heard those sounds. He would rather he were the one to go out and draw the enemy away.... He would rather that the one who died was him....

Xiao Yan felt like some liquid was dripping out from the corner of his eyes. He could never remember a time that he had cried. In court, where others would eat him clean, crying was meaningless. He was not like those girls who would cry and pretend to be pitiful.

All he knew was that, as long as he was strong enough, he would be able to protect the people he wanted to protect, protect the things he wanted to protect. This was what he had always done.

But at this moment, he felt like everything he had done had been in vain. No matter how strong he had become, he was not able to protect the person he loved in the end. Even though he had been so careful, he had not been able to stop fate from playing her wicked tricks.

Xiao Yan shut his eyes, helpless.

You’ve said it before...what you regret most in this world is having saved me.

So why must you save me?

【Ding, the target Xiao Yan’s Favourability Value +1. The current Favourability Value is 100.】

【Ding, the target of this world, Xiao Yan, has been successfully captured. 10,000 experience points have been obtained. The important character of this world, Qi Qing, has been successfully captured. 8000 experience points have been obtained. The important character of this world, Song Heng, has been successfully captured. 8000 experience points have been obtained. The total experience points obtained in this world is 26,000.】

Outside was quiet. Who knew how much time had passed before it became noisy again. Very soon, Xiao Yan’s subordinates followed the faintly visible blood trail leading to the cave, pushed through the foliage, and saved Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan’s subordinate was frantic. “Someone, quickly go call for an imperial doctor to head over and wait at the wangfu! His Highness is severely injured!”

The subordinate then said to Xiao Yan, “Please forgive me, your highness, Shuxia has come too late.”

Xiao Yan looked at him and then asked, “What about Cui Ning?”

The guard hesitated. He didn’t speak.

Xiao Yan’s gaze turned stern. He asked again, “What about Cui Ning? Where is he?”

The guard knelt at once. He gestured with his head. “Cui gongzi is over there.”

Xiao Yan said, “Take Benwang over there.”

The guard nervously tried to persuade him against it. “Your Highness, your injuries are very serious. We should head back quickly. We cannot waste any time.”

Xiao Yan’s eyes filled with rage. Although he was very weak right now, his ever-imposing aura still made the subordinate’s heart freeze. He spat out each word very clearly, “Benwang said to take Benwang to see him!”

The guard stopped trying to persuade him. He cautiously carried Xiao Yan on his back. When he recalled the tragic sight he had seen on the way over.... Although they had managed to kill all the enemies, they had come too late.

A short while later, Xiao Yan saw Xie He.

Although he already knew what would happen, when he saw the terrible scene himself, it hurt so much it felt like his soul was being torn apart.

Xie He laid on the ground, completely covered in blood. His hands and feet had been sliced off. It was obvious that the enemy had intended to use torture to interrogate him. That was why they had not killed him in one blow. However, being alive like this was clearly much more painful than death.

Xiao Yan had the guard place him beside Xie He, and help him half-kneel on the ground. He used the last of his strength to touch Xie He’s face with a trembling hand.

Xie He was still alive. His face was stained with blood but his black eyes were bright and clear as usual. He looked at Xiao Yan and said, “You’ve come....”

Xiao Yan’s voice shook. “Yes, don’t be afraid. I’ll stay with you.”

Xie He smiled. His voice was very quiet, but it was melodious and pleasant to hear. He said, “I’m not afraid. I’m going to see my mother and father. I’ve really missed them.”

Xiao Yan suppressed the pain in his voice. He wanted to say ‘don’t go’...but the words would not come out of his mouth....

Xie He looked at him and said, “Say, if I forgive you, will my father blame me...?”

Xiao Yan said, “I don’t know....”

Xie He thought it over and then looked at Xiao Yan earnestly. He said, “After thinking it over, I think I found my answer. I think that my father would not blame me. You’re a good person. The Crown Prince was the murderer.... If you become emperor, perhaps you’d be a good emperor.... My father always liked...to preach.... Something about...peace and prosperity....”

“Be a good emperor...so my dad won’t blame me...so I can go see him... with my heart at ease....”

“I...really miss them....”

Xie He’s voice kept getting quieter. In the end, it was carried away by the wind.

There were tears in Xiao Yan’s eyes. His voice was hoarse. Slowly, he said, “Alright, you have my promise.”

..............................

Xiao Yan had a very long dream. Everything was fuzzy in his dream. The person he loved stood in front of him, smiling at him. He walked over and pulled the youth into his arms. He saw the youth look at him with bright eyes. The youth said, “Be a good emperor, OK?”

Xiao Yan said, “Yes.”

The youth then looked very happy. He was no longer angry at Xiao Yan. He pushed at Xiao Yan lightly and said, “I have to go now. I’ve been gone for a really long time. My mother will be worried.”

Xiao Yan said, “Can I come see you again?”

The youth shook his head, a smile on his lips. He did not say whether Xiao Yan could see him again or not. He seemed to feel rather helpless.

Xiao Yan reached out, wanting to grab onto him, but his fingers met with empty air. They were so close, but there was no way for him to approach.

Xiao Yan opened his eyes. He saw the beam of the bed above his head and his eyes gradually dimmed.

He had been dreaming. His beloved youth had already died....

The servant girl who had been tending Xiao Yan saw that he had woken up and was moved to tears. She immediately ran out to call for the imperial doctor to come in.

The doctor checked Xiao Yan over while sighing over his good fortune. It was incredible that he had still managed to survive despite all of that. When he had seen the state Xiao Yan had been in when they had first brought him back, he had nearly knelt to the floor and asked to be spared. He had done all that he could and had used up all his precious medicinal ingredients to stabilize Xiao Yan’s life. Despite that, Xiao Yan had not woken up until now.

Every day Xiao Yan did not wake was another day the doctor could not set his heart to rest. Luckily, he finally woke up!

Xiao Yan watched the imperial doctor leave, an apathetic expression on his face. He then called his subordinate in. He asked, “Where’s Cui Ning?”

The subordinate paled in nervousness. He knew how much Xiao Yan cared for Cui Ning. He braced himself and said, “Cui gongzi has already died. W-We brought his corpse back with us....”

He thought that Xiao Yan would get angry, but Xiao Yan acted very calm, as if he had already let go. He only said in a cool voice, “I see. Bury him properly. I’ve been asleep for so long. What is the situation with the court?”

The subordinate saw that Xiao Yan was acting very calm, as if he was unaffected, and immediately felt like they had gotten the pillar of their team back. He felt reassured and reported to Xiao Yan what had happened while he had been unconscious.

Xiao Yan listened to the report and then gave calm, rational orders. His injuries were very severe. He could not go out for now. However, that didn’t mean he couldn’t do anything.

..............................

Five months later, the emperor died and the throne went to Prince Su, Xiao Yan. The Crown Prince had been felled a long time ago and his subordinates were not even worth mentioning. The other princes were hopeless, so it was only logical for Xiao Yan to ascend the throne.

The day he became Emperor, he crowned Cui Ning as his Empress.

The court opposed this. Even the Empress Dowager became so angry she wasn’t willing to see Xiao Yan for several days. However, no one could change Xiao Yan’s mind.

In the beginning, everyone’s reaction had been intense. But Cui Ning had still been buried in the imperial tomb as the Empress. Later on...everyone noticed that aside from this one flaw, there was nothing to fault the new Emperor with. He was capable and resourceful. Gradually, people stopped gossiping. They decided to just let this deceased person hold the title of Empress...it had been said that he had been the Emperor’s saviour, after all. Didn’t this indirectly prove that the Emperor put great importance on repaying people for their kindness? In any case, the future was long. Everyone pondered over which family had a suitable daughter to marry off as a concubine. When it came time, these girls would be sent to the harem. After all, a dead person could never compete with the living.

The Empress Dowager had been furious. In the beginning, she had failed to kill Cui Ning so she had no choice but to compromise. But now, Cui Ning was dead and she was secretly delighted. Xiao Yan wouldn’t still be hung over him now, right? But who would have expected that Xiao Yan would actually crown a dead person as his Empress?! He had even buried him in the imperial tomb in a grandiose fashion!

Later on, she realized she couldn’t do anything about it and began to actively think about which girls to draft into her son’s harem. With a full harem of three thousand beauties, he would forget about that dead person sooner or later.

But Xiao Yan refused her drafting. Neither the Empress Dowager nor the court could remain calm. They all persuaded Xiao Yan to accept girls into his harem, but Xiao Yan refused. He was so annoyed by all the fussing he actually severely punished several ministers.

Before, the upright officials had been worried that the new Emperor would be licentious and wanton, and neglect proper business. But after Xiao Yan ascended the throne, they saw that he was a hard worker and had no harem to loiter in. He was a workaholic. In the end, the court began to worry about the issue of a successor. They hoped that the Emperor would stop being so dedicated to his work and would occasionally indulge in some pleasure.

As time went on, rumours about the Emperor began to circulate all over.

Everyone said this: it was said that when the Emperor had still been known as Prince Su, his fight with the Crown Prince had been vicious. One time, he had been injured and had just so happened to be rescued by the son of the great, upright official, Cui Shao. From then on, he had fallen so deeply in love with Cui Shao’s son that he could not extricate himself from it.... The events that had happened in the middle— the gratitude, grudges, feelings and hatred— were said to be intense. But in the end, the Emperor had decided to marry the young Cui gongzi. However, the Crown Prince tried to launch a counter attack despite facing death. The young Cui gongzi died saving the Emperor. The Emperor, left in so much pain he wished for death, thus crowned the young Cui gongzi as his Empress.

The Emperor only had the young Cui gongzi in his heart. He wanted no one else. So in the end, he never wed a single person.

Three years flashed in the blink of an eye. Everything was peaceful in the nation. Xiao Yan had made vigorous efforts to build a strong nation. He had indeed led his country to an age of peace and prosperity.

As time passed, everyone eventually stopped trying to persuade Xiao Yan to take in concubines. In the end, even the Empress Dowager gave up. She chose several children from the imperial family to raise and considered them her grandsons. When she had fallen ill and neared death, she said to Xiao Yan, “You have no offspring. This throne will soon belong to another’s family. I really don’t know what you’ve been working so hard for.”

Xiao Yan held the Empress Dowager’s hand and said, “Everyone in this nation are Erchen’s people. Erchen naturally must work hard for their sake.”

The Empress Dowager sneered. “Oh, you truly love the people.”

Xiao Yan smiled and did not say a thing. There was a faint apology in his eyes.

The Empress Dowager threw his hand off hers. “Go. I see that you love that dead person more than you love me.”

Xiao Yan was silent for a moment before leaving.

A few days later, the Empress Dowager succumbed to illness. Xiao Yan was aggrieved. He took the children of the imperial family that the Empress Dowager had been raising over and chose one who showed good moral conduct, crowning him as Crown Prince. He then trained the new Crown Prince himself.

Five years passed like this. Xiao Yan’s body had started to steadily deteriorate. He knew that he did not have much time left.

Tonight, Xiao Yan took the jade pendant out. This jade pendant had been mended and the cracks were not obvious. It looked like the veinous patterns were naturally formed. Xiao Yan had worn this pendant on him for the last few decades. It gave off a warm light when stroked.

Every night, when he was alone, Xiao Yan would pull out this jade pendant and speak to it. He would tell Cui Ning how his day was.

He touched the marks left on the pendant, a nostalgic light in his eyes as he said, “I promised you that I’d be a good emperor. I didn’t let you down. Have you been watching me?”

“I really wanted to see you, but I had been afraid that if I had come too early, you’d be angry with me.”

“Can I come see you now?”

A month later, Xiao Yan fell seriously ill. He called the Crown Prince over while on his deathbed. He told the Crown Prince, “When Zhen dies, bury Zhen with the Empress.”

The Crown Prince was choked with emotion. “Erchen obliges.”

Xiao Yan looked gratified. Although this child was not his own, his moral character was outstanding and he was not stupid. He should be able to safeguard their nation’s peace and prosperity. Xiao Yan could leave with his heart at rest.

The Crown Prince watched Xiao Yan breathe his last and howled in grief.

He then followed Xiao Yan’s command and buried him next to Cui Ning.

The author has something to say:

Hu~ This world has finally ended! \(≧▽≦)/ Announcement for the new world: The Patriarch’s Kitten

A modern story set in the city, with a strong ML and MC, with grudges and hatred~~~ Gossip: Why did that father-son pair fall out over love? 23333

Attention darlings! After the next world ends, the last world will begin! To the angels who are concerned about President Xie’s feelings and ending, everything, including what I’ve foreshadowed and any other secrets, will be answered in the last world. Prior to this, just read the dogblood text at ease. There’s no need to overthink things. 23333

Lastly, this author has a new novel coming out. It’s called “Scum Shou’s Survival Guide”. It’s also dogblood. Please bookmark it. (*/ω╲*)

Eve: Scum Shou’s Survival Guide is currently being translated by beansprout here on CG. You can find it here if you want some more dogblood courtesy of this author.

Oof. The longer the author writes of the ML’s life after MC, the sadder I become. If this were any other novel, this would have turned out very differently. (It’d be one of those spoiling ‘wife’ stories and now I kind of want to read one.)

sere: T^T the way XH died sounds so painful wtf. Also yeah! Read SSSG! Although the MC is even scummier than XH.... and that’s saying a lot.

Done with this arc! 2 more to go before its the end!!