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Ever since Han shi had revealed her true nature, the Emperor had not spent a single day without regret. Whether it was internal turmoil or foreign invasion, none of this would have happened if the Xuanyuan Family had still been here.

Yet he had feared their power overshadowing his own. He had destroyed their entire clan over a mere prophecy.

And in the end, the empire of Great Yan still teetered on the edge of collapse!

The Emperor took a deep breath, trying to steady his emotions. “I still have my army. I still have the Wang Family and the Mu Family’s forces. I still have the Black Wind Cavalry… I may not lose…”

"Report—!"

Suddenly, an urgent voice rang out from outside the imperial study.

“Enter!” the Emperor commanded with a grave expression.

Zhang Dequan hurriedly brought the scout into the room.

But it was not just one scout, there were several.

"Your Majesty! Urgent report from Cangxue Pass——the State of Chen's army has been spotted advancing toward the eastern border!"

"Your Majesty! Our spies have confirmed the presence of Qing’s army!"

"Your Majesty! A military force from the State of Zhao has been sighted near Chishui Pass!"

Of the six nations in the world, five had now begun advancing toward Great Yan.

This was no longer just an invasion from Jin and Liang. Even the three weaker states—Qing, Chen, and Zhao—had joined the fray, eager to carve away a piece of Great Yan for themselves.

In the past, these three lower states would never have dared to make such a move. But now, the whole world had been shaken by the news of Jin and Liang launching an assault on Great Yan. The “joyous news” of the Han and Nangong Families’ betrayal had not escaped the ears of the various spies lurking in the empire.

If they didn’t seize this opportunity now, when would they ever?

The Emperor’s rage surged through his veins, his vision blurred, and with a violent cough, he spat out a mouthful of blood before collapsing unconscious!

Zhang Dequan panicked, immediately summoning the imperial physicians and ordering attendants to call for Gu Jiao, Shangguan Yan, and Xiao Heng to enter the imperial palace.

Truth be told, the situation had unfolded in a way that was beyond anyone’s expectations.

At first, they had believed that stopping Han shi would prevent a civil war. And without internal strife draining their resources, Jin and Liang would not dare to confront Great Yan head-on so easily.

Who could have foreseen that the Han and Nangong Families would join forces in rebellion? Not only had they plunged the nation into chaos, but they had also flung open every border gate, turning a two-nation invasion into a five-nation onslaught.

In the dream, the States of Zhao, Chen, and Qing had never participated in the carving up of Great Yan, because at that time, Great Yan had already been reduced to an empty husk, leaving Jin and Liang to seize it with ease.

But now, Great Yan’s military strength remained formidable. It was doomed to lose, yet its fall would not come without a bitter and drawn-out struggle, leaving no room to defend its eastern borders.

“This situation has spiraled even further out of control than in the dream.”

Gu Jiao had experienced many prophetic dreams, but this was the first time reality had strayed so drastically from her foresight.

Would everything still lead to the same fate foretold in the dream?

The carriage arrived at the imperial palace.

The Emperor had just suffered a mild stroke but was saved in time by the imperial physicians. Even so, his complexion was haggard, and in the span of a single day, he seemed to have aged more than a decade.

Lying on the imperial dragon bed draped in golden silk, his breath was faint and fragile, as if it might dissipate at any moment.

Now, he tasted the bitterness of regret. Now, he suffered the price of his own folly.

Gu Jiao examined him thoroughly and confirmed that his life was not in immediate danger. However, his body would not recover to its former vitality anytime soon.

Gu Jiao and Xiao Heng could tell that he had something to say to Shangguan Yan, so the two of them turned and left the chamber.

Zhang Dequan also withdrew, taking the palace attendants with him.

In the vast and empty hall, only father and daughter remained.

Shangguan Yan stood before the imperial dragon bed, gazing indifferently at the old and feeble Emperor. Her words struck straight at his heart as she asked, “Do you regret it?”

The Emperor’s lips twitched slightly, and a flicker of remorse flashed through his cloudy eyes. Yet, his face remained stubborn, unwilling to admit the recklessness of his past decisions.

But in truth, he had long regretted it.

What he had never anticipated was how deeply and completely that regret would consume him.

It was not the Xuanyuan Family that had robbed Great Yan of its destiny, it was he himself.

He had eradicated the Xuanyuan Clan, the strongest shield that had ever protected Great Yan.

Now, Great Yan had become nothing more than meat upon the chopping block, so powerless that even the weaker nations dared to raise their blades against it.

Countless times, he had replayed the scenario in his mind——if only the Xuanyuan Family still stood, who among them would have dared to invade?

“Preserve… preserve…”

His mouth opened as he struggled to speak, his voice weak and slurred from the effects of his stroke.

“You want me to preserve Great Yan?” Shangguan Yan asked coolly. “I refuse.”

“Lives… save… lives…”

He was saying——to save herself, to flee at once.

Great Yan was doomed.

No proper-born princess of Great Yan would meet a good end.

She had to take the two children and leave… leave forever, and never return.

The Emperor’s gaze drifted toward the doorway. The door was slightly ajar, but from his position, he could not see Xiao Heng himself, only the shadow he cast upon the floor.

His lips parted slightly, as if he wished to call out a name.

But in the end, he remained silent.

……

Gu Jiao and Xiao Heng crouched on the ground. Xiao Heng snapped off a tree branch and used it to draw a rough map of the six states.

Pointing at the map, Xiao Heng explained, “The State of Yan lies in the center. To the north is the frozen plains, and to the south is Chishui. Its western border is shared with Jin and Liang, forming a triangular standoff between the three.”

Gu Jiao understood immediately. “So that’s why the State of Jin originally sought an alliance with Liang. To prevent Liang from siding with the State of Yan.”

Xiao Heng nodded. “That’s right.”

“What about the east?” Gu Jiao asked.

Xiao Heng tapped two small circles on the map with his branch. “To the east are the State of Chen and the State of Zhao. The State of Chen is in the northeast, the State of Zhao in the southeast. The State of Qing is the farthest away—it has to bypass the State of Chen to reach Great Yan.”

Gu Jiao then asked, “The Tianshan Pass that blocks Jin’s forces is guarded by the Han Family, and the Yanmen Pass that stops Liang is defended by the Nangong Family… What about the State of Chen and the State of Zhao?”

Xiao Heng replied, “Cangxue Pass is garrisoned by Mu Family troops to fend off the State of Chen’s cavalry, while Chishui Pass is guarded by the Wang Family’s forces to defend against the State of Zhao’s naval fleet. If the State of Qing intends to attack Great Yan, the best route would be to bypass the State of Chen and take the Changping Pass through the frozen plains, which is held by local garrison troops.”

Gu Jiao paused for a moment. “The State of Qing is the farthest, and it won’t arrive so quickly.”

Xiao Heng studied the map and said, “Judging by the routes and the speed of their armies, Jin and Liang will arrive first, followed by the State of Zhao’s navy, and then the State of Chen’s cavalry.”

Gu Jiao asked again, “Who’s leading the State of Zhao’s forces?”

Xiao Heng pondered for a moment. “To cross Chishui, they’ll need a naval commander. If nothing unexpected happens, it will be my father, Marquis Xuanping.”

Gu Jiao: “…”

So… should she fight or not?

“What about the State of Chen?” Gu Jiao asked.

Xiao Heng thought for a moment before answering, “There’s no definitive information yet, but the State of Chen suffered a crushing defeat last year. To rally their troops and boost morale, it’s likely that Yuan Tang will lead the campaign personally.”

As for the State of Qing’s commander, Xiao Heng was unsure. His understanding of that nation was limited.

But one thing was certain, there was no way Great Yan could fend off an invasion from five states at once.

Curious, Gu Jiao asked, “Neither Yuan Tang nor the State of Zhao’s Emperor should know that we are in the State of Yan. If they did, and they realized they were fighting against us… would they still go through with it?”

Xiao Heng stared at her intently. “You… intend to enter the battle?”

Gu Jiao idly traced circles on the ground with her branch, letting out a soft hum as she replied, her tone light and casual, “I am the commander of the Black Wind Cavalry. Shouldn’t I be taking part in the war?”

If she wished to relinquish command of the Black Wind Cavalry, she could do so at any time.

Xiao Heng opened his mouth, as if about to speak. “You…”

“It’s not just for you and Jing Kong.”

Gu Jiao knew what he wanted to say. She lifted her gaze toward the vast, boundless sky.

“I just feel that… this is something I should do.”

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Description:

In the suspenseful supernatural novel “Records of Mortals,” Jiang Baiyan, once a solitary and impoverished youth, finds refuge in the Shi family of Chang’an due to his extraordinary bloodline. With his clear and captivating peach blossom eyes, this seemingly innocent young man conceals a fanatical and malevolent lunatic within. Destined to succumb to darkness amidst hardship and degradation, he becomes a harbinger of chaos.

When Shi Dai suddenly transmigrates, she takes on the role of the Shi family’s young lady, the one who subjects him to countless trials, eventually leading to her demise.

The twist? She never got to finish reading the novel.

From what she knew of the plot, Jiang Baiyan was just a silent, timid, and often bullied pitiable character.

***

Jiang Baiyan had never encountered someone like Shi Dai.

After he had slaughtered all the evil creatures in the garden, the blood-stained young man, exuding a murderous aura, approached her step by step, his lips curling into a malicious smile, "Scared?"

Shi Dai responded, “You’re really amazing! I applaud you until I spin like a spiral and fly around the moon three hundred times! And also——you have dimples when you smile!"

Jiang Baiyan: ...?

—

After seeing her at a lantern festival with another man, Jiang Baiyan lowered his eyes, his fingers twirling her hair. He said in a mocking and sinister tone, "The mansion in the western suburbs...if I hide you there, no one will find you, right?"

Shi Dai replied, "Does it come with meals and lodging? Can I sleep in everyday? Oh, and your cooking is the best!"

Jiang Baiyan: ...?

—

Jiang Baiyan was supposed to dislike her, even hate her, but as their separation drew near, his eyes turned red and he grabbed her sleeve, pleading, "Don't abandon me, alri—”

Shi Dai responded, "Alright, alright, I’ll only have you. Mwah."

Jiang Baiyan: ...?

He hasn't finished his lines yet though…

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