Crack—
A fissure tore open in the Nether Domain above Sunspire City. The citizens looked up in terror as the crack widened, and soon, the entire Nether Domain shattered like glass, scattering into fragments.
People screamed and retreated into their homes, bracing for the invasion of Star Yearn City’s army.
Yet, after the city gates swung open, silence lingered outside for a long while.
A few bold souls peeked through their windows.
The ground was strewn with withered leaves, and someone stepped in, their Bamboo Mist-colored skirt rustling softly against the dry foliage.
She lifted her gaze to the rising sun in the distance and walked forward, step by step, through the eerie silence, toward the tightly shut doors of the inner courtyard.
“Did Star Yearn City’s forces not enter?” someone whispered.
“It’s Ming Xian—no, it’s Mingyi who’s come in.”
As they watched her pass, realization dawned. “If Star Yearn City’s soldiers don’t enter, then we haven’t been conquered.”
As long as the city wasn’t conquered, their Da Si wouldn’t be forced to die for it.
Mingyi might seem cold and ruthless, but deep down, she still remembered the years of care from Minister Superior and the Empress. So, when she left Sunspire City before, it couldn’t have been her true intention—something must have happened in the inner courtyard that forced her to leave.
Now that she was back, perhaps she only sought justice?
The hastily hiding citizens of Sunspire City tentatively peeked outside, their murmurs growing louder.
Mingyi stepped into the inner courtyard, bypassing the exhausted guards, and headed for the Central Courtyard.
But inside, she didn’t find Minister Superior—only Dan Er.
“After all these years, just when I was about to get what I wanted, in the end, I’ve lost everything,” Dan Er sat on the ground, spine rigid, his eyes burning with hatred as he glared at her. “You should never have been born. If you hadn’t existed, Yan Shi wouldn’t have thought to switch the infants, and Ji Bozhai would still be a man of Sunspire City, not someone who’d come back to attack us from the outside.”
Had she heard these words before, Mingyi might have reflected deeply on what she’d done wrong to earn such resentment.
But now, she saw things clearly.
“I was born to my mother, and she chose to bring me into this world. The infant-swapping was Yan Pin’s crime, not mine. Attacking Sunspire City was Ji Bozhai’s decision, not mine.”
“You harmed Ji Bozhai and me to elevate Yong Wang and secure your own position. The fate you face now is nothing but what you deserve.” She clapped her hands. “Wait for your judgment.”
“I am a high-ranking official of Sunspire City. How dare you?”
“I dared to lay siege to the city. What wouldn’t I dare?” Mingyi shrugged, scanning the room once more. When she didn’t spot Minister Superior, she turned to leave and continue her search.
A trembling attendant approached and stammered, “Minister Superior—the former Minister Superior is with Yan Pin.”
Mingyi froze, then followed him.
Yan Pin lay across Ming Li’s lap as if asleep. Ming Li stroked her long hair gently and, upon seeing Mingyi enter, suddenly smiled at her.
Mingyi paused at the doorway, frowning slightly.
Minister Superior rarely smiled at her—whether it was after her victory in the Six Cities Tournament or when her identity was exposed. She had never seemed to matter to him, merely a tool to be used or discarded.
Yet now, at this moment, he was smiling at her, his eyes crinkling at the corners."You've grown up," he said. "Even without your father and mother, you'll be able to lead Sunspire City forward from now on."
Mingyi glanced around, confirming he was speaking to her, and couldn't help but smile. "Minister Superior must be confused. What father and mother do I have?"
"You are Ming An's child, but it was I who raised you in my arms." Ming Li gestured. "When you first arrived, you were no bigger than two palms, small enough to be tucked into the fold of my robe. I lulled you to sleep and fed you meals. The time I spent with you was more than all the time I spent with Yong Wang and Qi Wang's children combined."
That was true. Fearing her Crimson Meridians might be harmed by ill-intentioned people, Ming Li had even carried her in swaddling clothes to court for a time.
Mingyi sat down across from him, her smile faintly mocking. "Raising me in exchange for Sunspire City receiving the highest tributes for seven years—not a bad deal, was it?"
Ming Li shook his head. "At this point, how could I still be calculating gains and losses with you? I only wanted to tell you—you are the child who has made me proudest."
Mingyi paused, then scoffed. "Thank you, Da Si."
"It's only right that you resent me. I was never a proper father—all these years, I was only ever a ruler." Ming Li sighed. "I never praised you, never cared for you. Even when you won the tournament, the rewards never reached your hands. I saw how your mother treated you all these years, yet I did nothing to stop it."
Her fists clenched slowly. Mingyi sneered. "As you should. After all, I'm not your blood."
"But for all these years, I didn’t know. I always saw you as my own son." Ming Li shook his head. "I was only afraid—afraid you would grow arrogant, afraid you wouldn’t be able to shoulder Sunspire City’s burdens, afraid the legacy of our ancestors would be ruined in my hands."
Tears welled in his eyes, but he quickly swallowed them back, meeting her gaze openly. "Now, I’m no longer afraid. I’ve done all I could. The fate of this city is now in your hands."
Mingyi found it amusing. "If it hadn’t been me who walked in today, but Ji Bozhai—what would you have said to him?"
"I would have begged him to treat Sunspire City’s people kindly." Ming Li lowered his eyes. "But with you, there’s no need. I know you will treat them well. You, child, have always had a bodhisattva’s heart."
"No need to flatter me." She stood. "You never liked praising me before. No need to force it now."
Ming Li looked up at her. "At three years old, you could already manipulate Essence Power—the earliest awakening among all the Fighters in the Six Cities. The first time you used it to catch a bird on a branch three zhang away, you did wonderfully."
He hadn’t praised her then, afraid she’d grow proud.
"At five, your Essence Power could contend with a Fighter ten years your senior, and it manifested as a pure white—proof of your innate talent. Truly remarkable."
He hadn’t praised her then either, afraid she’d lose herself.
"At seven, every renowned master in the city fought to take you as their disciple. As your father, I was immensely proud."
"At ten, you competed in the Six Cities Tournament for the first time and took first place. I knelt in the ancestral hall and told every one of our forebears—the Ming family had produced an extraordinary child."
"At eleven, you defended your title. Sunspire City prospered from the tributes—all thanks to you.""At twelve, you led the noble youths to the Six Cities Tournament. They truly held you back, yet you still won. From then on, several noble families willingly served under me, providing great assistance."
"At thirteen..."
"Enough." Mingyi stiffened her neck, cutting him off. "I've grown up now. I don't need this praise anymore."
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