novelnext Chapter 632: Friendship, Love
Chapter 632: Friendship, Love
Chapter 632: Friendship, Love There had once been a man of utmost importance in Hua Qinglian’s life. A brother. Not by blood, but by bond.
They trained under the same master, cultivated together, traveled the world side by side, and joined the government together. In their youth, they had shared a vow, and in adulthood, fulfilled it together. Time and again, they fought side by side on the battlefield, entrusting their backs to each other without hesitation.
They had shared the same bed, sleeping back-to-back. Music, chess, calligraphy, poetry, wine, and flowers—even their passions were the same. Both had once been hailed as peerless prodigies, the Twin Jewels of Great Xia, who had dazzled an entire era.
Finding a true confidant in life was rare. Hua Qinglian considered himself fortunate to have had such a bond forged from childhood. It had carried them forward as they devoted themselves to protecting Great Xia until death.
One walked in the light, the other in the shadows. Together, they slayed star beasts and vanquished enemies. They were unstoppable.
Hua Qinglian, standing in the open, had climbed step by step to the highest rank of honor until he became one of Great Xia’s Grand Commanders. But the one in the shadows had never stood in the spotlight. His name had never appeared in public records.
He once said, "Little Hua, I am your shadow."
He once said, "If only one of us can receive the people's cheers, I hope that person is you."
He once said, "Someone must carry the burden in the darkness."
He once said, "Being a Grand Commander is troublesome. I have no interest in it. I'd rather stay behind the scenes... But if you ever need me, I will always be here."
He had said many things. And he had kept every single promise. He was always a man of his word. Until one day, he had never returned from a secret mission to Yiggs. He had vanished completely from this world.
Never again did he set foot on the land of Great Xia, the nation he had loved so deeply. Never again did he stand at Hua Qinglian’s side, like a shadow that had always followed him.
To find him, Hua Qinglian, a Grand Commander of Great Xia, had broken protocol twice to infiltrate the Yiggs Union alone in
Li Donglou spoke softly as he slowly approached the girl with a mesmerized look on his face.
"If this is a dream... I never want to wake up."
He let all his defenses fall as he spread his arms wide and stepped toward the girl.
"Brother Donglou," Ye Zhichen responded with open warmth and joy.
The moment Li Donglou wrapped his arms around her, tears streamed down his face. She was real. Warm. Fragrant. His memories surged like a tidal wave, drowning him completely.
"I should thank Eden..." Li Donglou buried his face in her soft hair, inhaling deeply. "Otherwise, I might have lived my whole life without ever seeing such a real you again."
"Brother Donglou... huh?" Ye Zhichen’s smile suddenly faded as a flash of shock crossed her face.
Li Donglou’s arms tightened so forcefully that he snapped her spine and both arms in an instant.
"I’m sorry. I’m sorry." He sobbed loudly, but his grip only tightened further. Brilliant flames erupted from his body, engulfing both him and the girl in his embrace.
For Great Xia.
***
Outside Xiajing City, the Divine Envoy stood smiling amidst the endless tide of star beasts. The Stellar Holy War had only ever been a delaying tactic.
Now that reinforcements had arrived, there was no longer any need for a Holy War. Only a siege remained. There was only one thing he was concerned about...
His gaze drifted toward the cemetery behind White Deer Academy. Now, with everything pushed to the brink, would those creatures finally reveal themselves to stop him?
If they did, that would be perfect.