Bai Jue's heart was a tempest, a storm of emotions that refused to calm as he relentlessly searched for Yang Mi. He combed through every street, every shadowed alley, and every hidden corner of the capital. His once serene and controlled demeanor was shattered, replaced by a man driven by desperation and fury. The city that had once been his dominion now felt like a labyrinth, each dead-end mocking his efforts.
His search extended to the Tan residence, only to find it desolate. The mansion stood eerily silent, with no sign of the vibrant life it once housed. The businesses owned by Marquis Tan were similarly abandoned, their doors shut, and their windows dark. The city, which had always seemed alive with the hustle and bustle of daily life, now felt empty, drained of all joy.
In the silence of the deserted mansion, Bai Jue clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms. "Where are you, Yang Mi?" he whispered into the void, his voice cracking with a rare hint of vulnerability. "I will not stop until I find you, no matter how long it takes."
His frustration turned into a cold, calculated resolve. If he couldn't find Yang Mi, he would ensure that those who had wronged her would pay dearly. His mind turned to Gu Wan Niang, the woman whose scheming had led to so much heartache. Bai Jue unleashed his wrath through the power of rumors, ensuring that everyone in the city knew of her scandalous affair with Chu Yan, the dissolute son of Marquis Chu.
The gossip spread like wildfire, and it wasn't long before the once-proud Gu family was shrouded in shame. Forced to salvage what little honor they had left, they hastily arranged a marriage between Gu Wan Niang and Chu Yan. The ceremony was a somber affair, conducted in secret, without the fanfare that usually accompanied such unions. There were no guests, no celebrations—only a quiet acknowledgment of a union born of necessity, not love.
Minister Gu's rage simmered beneath his cold exterior. The marriage that was supposed to secure his family's power had turned into a humiliating defeat. He had envisioned his daughter as a key player within the royal family, a conduit for influence and control over Bai Jue and the emperor. But now, she was bound to a man of no consequence, her future as bleak as the family's diminishing power.
His anger extended to his daughter, who had allowed this disaster to happen. "How could you be so reckless?" he spat at her during a private meeting, his voice laced with venom. "How could you allow that wretch into your chambers? You were supposed to be the key to our ascendancy, but you've reduced us to this—shame, disgrace, and ruin!"
Gu Wan Niang, still reeling from the aftereffects of the drug and the unwanted marriage, could do little but weep silently. Her body still craved Chu Yan's touch, a sickening reminder of how far she had fallen. But even in her haze, she could sense the deep betrayal and disappointment in her father's eyes. It cut deeper than any physical wound.
As Minister Gu fumed over his family's fall from grace, further bad news reached his ears. Bai Li, the prince with whom he had conspired, had withdrawn his financial support for their secret projects, particularly the army of soldiers they had been training in the shadows. The sinking of the salt shipment had been the final straw. Without Bai Li's resources, Minister Gu's plans to seize the throne began to crumble.
But Minister Gu was not a man to accept defeat quietly. Driven by desperation and a burning desire for power, he called his remaining loyal soldiers to him. If he couldn't place his daughter on the throne, then he would take it himself. The only option left was revolt—a final, desperate bid to seize control of the empire.
However, Bai Jue was already several steps ahead. His anger, fueled by the pain of losing Yang Mi, drove him to act with ruthless efficiency. His soldiers, loyal and fierce, were mobilized in secret, and before Minister Gu could enact his plan, they struck. The battle was swift and brutal, fought just outside the capital's gates. Bai Jue led his forces personally, his sword cutting through the ranks of Minister Gu's soldiers with cold precision.
In the chaos of battle, Bai Jue's rage gave him the strength of a god, and he fought with the fury of a man possessed. His enemies fell before him like leaves in the wind, their screams echoing through the night as the ground beneath them was stained with blood. It was as if a demon had descended from the heavens, intent on punishing the wicked. The once cold and calculated Bai Jue had become a force of nature, driven by the loss of the one he loved.
When the dust settled, Minister Gu's forces were in shambles. Those who survived were taken prisoner, including Minister Gu himself. He was dragged before Bai Jue, his face a mask of fury and defeat. Bai Jue looked down at him, his expression cold and unfeeling.
"Your ambition has led you to ruin, Minister Gu," Bai Jue said, his voice low and menacing. "You have betrayed your emperor, your kingdom, and your people. But more than that, you have caused pain to the one I hold dear. For that, there can be no forgiveness."
Minister Gu looked up at Bai Jue, his eyes filled with a mixture of fear and defiance. "You may have won today, but you will not hold onto that throne for long," he spat, his voice trembling with rage. "There are forces at work that even you cannot control."
Bai Jue's gaze hardened. "Perhaps. But you will not live to see them."
With a swift motion, Bai Jue delivered the final blow, ending the life of the man who had caused so much suffering. The capital was finally free of the corruption that had plagued it for so long, but Bai Jue felt no relief. The victory was hollow, for the one person he had fought so hard to protect was still lost to him.
As he stood over the fallen minister, his sword dripping with the blood of his enemies, a deep ache settled in his chest. This wasn't the victory he had sought. This wasn't the outcome he had hoped for. The city was safe, the empire secure, but without Yang Mi, none of it mattered. He sheathed his sword, his hands trembling with a mix of exhaustion and heartache.
"Your Highness," Pei Yuan approached cautiously, bowing low. "The city is secure, and Minister Gu's forces have been defeated. What are your orders?"
Bai Jue remained silent for a moment, his gaze distant. Finally, he spoke, his voice heavy with sorrow. "Take the prisoners to the palace dungeons. The emperor will decide their fate."
Pei Yuan nodded, signaling the soldiers to gather the captives. Bai Jue watched as Minister Gu's body was carried away, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts. This victory had cost him more than he had anticipated, and the emptiness inside him only grew.
As the soldiers departed, Bai Jue turned his gaze to the horizon, where the first light of dawn was beginning to break. The city was quiet, the night's violence already fading into memory, but for Bai Jue, the battle was far from over.
Thirty years passed in the mortal realm, though it felt like only a night had gone by in the Kunlun Mountain. Bai Jue's search for Yang Mi had been relentless, his grief growing with each passing day. He had scoured the mortal world, leaving no stone unturned, yet his efforts were in vain. The once proud and cold Crown Prince was now a man broken by heartache and longing.
During these years, Bai Jue's actions had cleansed the empire of corruption, but they had also left him isolated. His heart, once filled with love and hope, had become a barren wasteland. The empress dowager and empress, concerned for the future of the empire, arranged a marriage between Bai Jue and Ya Sang Guang, a noblewoman of the prestigious Ya family. The marriage was meant to secure the throne, but Bai Jue's heart was no longer capable of love.
Ya Sang Guang, beautiful and virtuous, was left alone in a palace that felt more like a prison. Bai Jue never visited her, never fulfilled his duties as a husband. His thoughts were consumed by Yang Mi, the woman who had stolen his heart and left him a hollow shell of the man he once was.
The years passed, and Bai Jue's health began to deteriorate. The weight of his sorrow was too much to bear, and eventually, it consumed him entirely. He died of a broken heart, leaving behind a kingdom that mourned the loss of a great ruler.
But his story did not end there. As Bai Jue passed from the mortal world, his soul returned to the Heaven Realm, awakening from the long meditation that had been his trial. The moment he opened his eyes, he felt the pain of his broken heart all over again. Tears fell unbidden from his eyes as he remembered the love he had lost, the life he had left behind.
Dai Yi, Chang Er, and Pei Yan, his loyal companions, were already awake, stretching their limbs after what felt like a short rest. They looked at their master, their hearts heavy with the knowledge of what he had endured.
"Bai Jue," Dai Yi said softly, his voice filled with sympathy. "It is over now. You have returned to us."
But Bai Jue could not find solace in his return. His heart still ached for Yang Mi, the woman who had meant everything to him. He knew he had to find her, to bring her back to his side, no matter the cost.
Meanwhile, at Kunlun Mountain, the Queen Mother sat in Lord Fang Zhu's study, reviewing the tablets brought by the ministers. Her serene demeanor masked the turmoil within her. She had received word of Bai Jue's return, and now she awaited the arrival of Lord Zhe Yan, who had promised her insight into Yang Mi's fate.
When Lord Zhe Yan finally arrived, his face was grave. "Your Majesty," he said, bowing deeply. "It is time to meet with the Emperor of Heaven. There is only one way to restore your daughter's fate, and it involves her union with the Heaven Crown Prince, Bai Jue."
The Queen Mother stood, her heart pounding in her chest. "Then we must act quickly. I will not lose my daughter to this treachery."
Together, they made their way to the Heavenly Palace, where the fate of Yang Mi and Bai Jue would be decided. The path ahead was fraught with uncertainty, but the Queen Mother knew one thing for certain: she would do whatever it took to ensure her daughter's survival, even if it meant challenging the very forces that governed the universe.