The Mirror of Startling Beauty: Her courtiers are everywhere

"Qi Wang! He deserves to die!"

The Heavenly Dao Apostle of the Imperial World Pavilion, responsible for collecting fortune, gritted his teeth as he gazed at the deep ravine cleaved open by sword energy in the snow forest.

His knuckles cracked as he pinched the bone, as if crushing dry bones.

"There are few in this world whose swordsmanship is so sharp. At that time, only Qi Wang was here... It was him, there's no mistake!"

The post-war snow forest was devastated.

Broken bamboo and twigs lay scattered about, the bamboo tips snapped cleanly, the cuts smooth as mirrors, clearly the result of a swift and powerful sword strike.

The ravines left by the sword energy were crisscrossed and several feet deep, a shocking sight.

"Let's go back and report to the Palace Master."

Guixu Palace.

The palace master sat on the highest throne, his fingertips lightly tapping the armrest.

Several Heavenly Dao Apostles knelt in the hall, none daring to raise their heads.

"Praying for falsehoods."

He uttered the name in a calm tone, yet it sent chills down the spines of those kneeling before him.

"He single-handedly broke through the enemy lines, holding the pass against all odds. You were all shattered by him alone?"

No one dared to answer.

He stood up, with a radiant light behind him that obscured his face, allowing people to only feel his immense pressure.

"Originally, Qi Zhan had him tied up, and the Yunlin Guards were held back. Pei Yanchuan stood alone in the wind and snow. With so many Heavenly Dao Apostles, picking a Tianquan Star without a strong star to protect it should have been a piece of cake."

He looked up at the star map.

"Tianquan, the fourth star of the Big Dipper, symbolizes the Wenqu star. A single tree cannot support a tree; it needs a companion star to be stable as a rock. Literature carries the Way, and martial arts protect the Way. With the two stars shining together, the glory of literature will last forever."

He once again focused his gaze on the kneeling apostles.

"But you can't even handle a weak scholar."

The hall was deathly silent.

"Your Majesty, this Qi Wang is far too troublesome, repeatedly ruining our grand plans! This person must be eliminated."

"It is the Lord of the Imperial World, Yin Shi, who spoke up."

"If the Broken Army does not fall, Heavenly Power cannot be seized."

"We originally intended to leave this tough nut to crack for later, but now we have no other choice."

The Palace Master of Guixu Palace raised his hand and pointed to the sky.

"A galaxy descending to earth, a sight rarely seen even once in a millennium."

"This is a great opportunity and a great destiny."

He turned and walked into the depths of the light emanating from the statues of the sun and moon.

"Activate all of Yun Chuan's hidden agents. Heavenly Punishment Hall, go all out!"

"The Broken Army Star—must be shattered."

"yes!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the palace doors closed by themselves without any wind.

The candlelight went out, leaving only darkness.

Misty Snow Island has a harsh climate with snow falling all year round.

The Yun Chuan Empire is the strongest nation in this continent. Its capital, Wangxue City, is situated on a snowy plain, majestic like a palace in the heavens.

"This is our capital city of Yunchuan—Wangxue City."

Pei Yanchuan's clear and melodious voice drifted to my ears on the breeze.

Tang Xixue's gaze fell downwards, and she couldn't help but be amazed by the beautiful scenery of Wangxue City.

"Snow forgets the cloud-covered palace, spring fills the jade steps."

Springs gush from the ground, and warm earth vapor rises up, nourishing the flowers and trees throughout the city, giving this icy and snowy region a touch of springtime beauty reminiscent of southern China.

Snow may come often, but spring is always here.

"Forgetting Snow - It's not the snow's fault; the city has its own springtime charm and doesn't need snow to enhance its splendor."

"Wangxue City is truly a treasure of Xuezhou."

Jacaranda trees bloom all over the city, their flowers like mist, their color like the sky after a fresh wash, clusters hanging from the branches.

"Of course, our Forgot Snow City is the pearl of Snow Continent. Young Master Yue, you must stay here for a while longer."

Qi Wang thought that after finishing his uncle's funeral arrangements, he would challenge the little sword immortal to a duel.

The silver dragon in the snow streaked across the sky like a bolt of lightning. Its body was lithe and long, and its silver scales reflected a cold, sharp light in the sunlight, while the sharpness of its five claws was faintly visible.

It pierced through the clouds and snow, landing steadily in the magnificent and imposing War King's Palace.

The dragon coiled around, stirring up a gust of wind. The copper bells under the eaves jingled, and the jacaranda trees fluttered down like a sudden blue rain.

"Welcome to my War King's Palace."

Qi Wang was the first to leap off the dragon's back, his movements swift and decisive. He turned around and reached out to help Pei Yanchuan down steadily.

"I have been to Yunchuan before, but this is my first time visiting the War King's Mansion."

Tangxi Xue lightly leaped, her clothes fluttering like clouds, and landed steadily, leaving only two shallow footprints on the snow.

"His Highness the War King's contracted partner is excellent."

Her gaze fell upon the snow-covered silver dragon.

"He's just too arrogant and hard to get close to."

As soon as Qi Wang finished speaking, he assumed that the Wind and Snow Silver Dragon had brought them here and was about to take off back to Cloud City.

However, the silver dragon did not leave; it flicked its tail.

The dragon's body suddenly shrank, and as silver light flowed, its enormous form transformed into a tiny silver dragon the length of a finger.

It circled Tang Xixue's wrist once, then quietly coiled around it.

"???"

Qi Wang stared at him in shock.

"He may have mistaken his owner for someone else."

"He's not usually like this, really."

Qi Wang recalled the aloof and cold demeanor of the Snow Dragon. Every time he summoned it, it would help him and then disappear without a trace, never transforming into a human form to act cute or charming.

At this moment, the head of the Wind and Snow Silver Dragon rested on Tang Xixue's wrist bone, its eyes slightly closed and its whiskers trembling.

The scales adhered to the skin, cool yet with a hint of warmth, looking like they wouldn't leave.

"He's so cute! I love him!"

Tang Xixue looked down at the shimmering silver thing on her wrist, her lips curving slightly, and a gentle smile spreading across her eyes.

Qi Wang was truly dumbfounded.

His dragon seems to have a tendency to betray its master.

But he had no evidence.

"Forgotten Snow City... I've finally returned, but sadly, I'm the only one who's come back."

Pei Yanchuan gazed at the familiar city before him, his voice like falling petals on water, almost blown away by the wind.

This is the homeland where he has lived for more than ten years.

He once studied and practiced calligraphy here, learning alongside Qi Wang and Qi Zhan from the regent Qi Si.

Springtime was in full bloom, and everything was peaceful.

The Regent's Palace was brightly lit all night, the Grand Secretary's Residence was filled with the fragrance of books, and Lady Mei's zither music intertwined to create the warmest memories.

But now, he is all alone.

He was like a lonely fallen flower, swept up by the wind, not knowing where he should fall.

"I guess I've come home with Ah Lin."

Tang Xixue walked to Pei Yanchuan's side, reached out her hand, and gently took his hand, their fingers intertwined.

The warmth of his palm seeped through his skin, like a ray of light shining into his gloomy heart.

The little white flower, which had initially felt abandoned by the whole world, was instantly enveloped in warmth.

He lowered his eyelashes, looking at their clasped hands, his throat tightened slightly, and his eyes reddened.

"But...do I still have a home?"

He murmured to himself, as if asking himself, and also asking the vast天地 (heaven and earth).

The voice carried a shattered, cautious hope.

"Of course."

Qi Wang's voice came from behind, as firm as a mountain.

"The Regent's Palace is Ying Lin's home. It used to be the residence of a Grand Secretary. Five years ago, the Imperial Uncle ordered its reconstruction. Every brick and tile followed the old system, and no noble family was allowed to occupy even a small part of it."

"That place is still your home today."

His gaze fell on Pei Yanchuan's pale face, adding a touch of worry and heartache.

"However, for now, Ying Lin and Young Master Yue should stay at the War King's Mansion. It's safer there."

He stepped forward and patted Pei Yanchuan on the shoulder with a gentle, supportive gesture, like that of an elder brother.

"Ying Lin must not leave my sight, otherwise, he may be snatched away by vicious dogs at any time."

"I'm not a steamed bun."

Pei Yanchuan glanced at him irritably, but a long-lost smile appeared in his eyes.

"You're easier to mold than a meat bun."

Qi Wang shook his head helplessly, but couldn't help but smile.

His brother was exceptionally talented and brilliant in writing.

Yet she is as delicate as a porcelain doll, fragile enough to break at the slightest touch.

If no one holds it in their hands and protects it, it will shatter into a pitiful state.

"You must be tired from your long journey. Yinglin, please stay at the Luochuan Courtyard you used to live in."

"Young Master Yue is your close friend. Would it be alright if you lived together?"

He thought that someone needed to protect Pei Yanchuan, this little bun.

If the little sword immortal lived with him, he would surely be able to protect him.

As for himself, he still has a lot to do.

His own elder brother, the emperor, required him to personally stop him; his subordinates couldn't.

"it is good."

Tang Xixue readily agreed, as she was also worried about Pei Yanchuan being alone.

She had just secretly observed Pei Yanchuan's aura and found it to be extremely strong. Its color was bluish-white, and its light was calm and heavy, like a majestic celestial authority, imbued with literary brilliance, and unshakable.

Especially when she was with Qi Wang, the light of their combined auras intertwined and almost blinded her.

But when he was alone, the light was as faint as a firefly.

So, does her little white flower's luck actually need someone to fuel it?

"Um."

When Pei Yanchuan saw that his prince had agreed, he nodded gently, his obedient appearance still that of a well-behaved little white flower.

In Qi Wang's view, since both of them were men, it was not a problem for them to sleep together.

But in Pei Yanchuan's eyes, this was practically a matter of serving the emperor in bed.

A blush crept onto his ears. He said nothing, only lowering his eyelashes to hide his shyness in the shadow of his long lashes.

He remembered that he had learned how to serve someone in bed.