I was to be executed by Zhu Yuanzhang, and Empress Ma smashed Zhu Yuanzhang's jade seal.

With the leader of the military generals taking the lead, why would the other generals hesitate?

Mu Chun, Feng Sheng, Fu Youde, Chang Mao...

One by one, the ruthless and fierce generals who killed without blinking an eye on the battlefield knelt down in large numbers, like dumplings being dropped into a pot.

"Your Majesty, we pay our respects! Long live the Emperor!"

The deafening shouts nearly blew the roof off the sleeping quarters.

At this point, Li Shanchang and his civil officials could no longer keep up the pretense.

Looking at the dark mass of kneeling military officers, they felt a chill run from the soles of their feet to the top of their heads.

It's over, all is lost!

If you don't kneel now, you might not even know how you died after the new emperor ascends the throne!

Li Shanchang gritted his teeth, stamped his foot, and hurriedly straightened his official robes before kneeling down tremblingly.

"This old minister...this old minister Li Shanchang greets Your Majesty..."

With him, the prime minister, taking the lead, Liu Sanwu, Hu Weiyong, and other civil officials all knelt down with long faces and unwillingness.

In the blink of an eye, the entire sleeping quarters were filled with the sounds of the night.

Aside from the three members of the Zhu family, Zhu Yuanzhang who was slumped on the ground like a living dead, and Zhang Sanfeng who was immersed in his own world from beginning to end.

Everyone knelt down.

A dark mass of people, shouting "Long live the Emperor!"

This means that all the civil and military officials in the Ming Dynasty court have recognized the legitimacy of the new emperor.

A thrilling and absurd succession of imperial power came to an end in this small palace in a way that no one could have predicted.

Zhu Muying looked at the mass of kneeling officials before him, and at the complex expressions on their faces—some fanatical, some awe-inspiring, some fearful, and some resentful.

His face remained calm and expressionless.

It was as if this grand scene, worthy of being recorded in history, was nothing more than a... trivial, little farce to him.

He slowly stood up from the edge of the bed.

This was the first action he took after ascending the throne.

He ignored the ministers who were shouting "Long live the Emperor!"

He also did not wear the dragon robe that symbolized imperial power.

They didn't even try to take the jade seal that represented the entire realm.

Barefoot, he walked slowly, step by step, onto the cold floor tiles, to his father, Zhu Yuanzhang, the previous emperor of the Ming Dynasty, who was slumped on the ground.

He squatted down and looked at the old man who had completely lost all his energy and spirit.

Then, he slowly reached out his hand.

Under the tense gaze of everyone.

He gently patted Zhu Yuanzhang on the shoulder.

Then, in a voice that only the two of them could hear, he whispered in his ear:

"father."

"Times have changed."

Zhu Yuanzhang's empty, lifeless eyes twitched slightly when he heard the word "father".

He slowly raised his head, his cloudy gaze focusing on the young, handsome, yet utterly unfamiliar face before him.

father.

How long has it been since he last heard that title from his son?

It seems that he never had that again after he grew up.

He always called himself "Father Emperor," and his voice carried a sense of distance, wariness, and even a hint of...disdain.

But now, he calls himself "Dad" again.

When was it?

It was after he took everything from her.

It was after he ascended to that supreme position.

Zhu Yuanzhang's lips twitched slightly, as if he wanted to laugh, but that smile was even uglier than a cry.

Yes... times have changed...

Now, you are the emperor.

I'm just... a useless old thing.

A tremendous sense of sorrow and irony instantly overwhelmed him.

He looked at Zhu Muying, his lips trembling, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he couldn't utter a single word.

All those words, in the end, amounted to nothing more than a long sigh, filled with endless weariness and desolation.

Seeing his expression, Zhu Muying didn't say anything more.

He slowly stood up, turned around, and faced the civil and military officials who were still kneeling on the ground.

His gaze swept calmly over everyone.

"Get up, everyone."

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable authority and clearly reached everyone's ears.

Everyone felt as if they had been granted a pardon, and they quickly got up from the ground, bowing their heads and not daring to breathe.

Zhu Mu-ying's gaze swept across the crowd, finally settling on Li Shanchang.

"Li Shanchang".

"Your old minister is here."

Li Shanchang was startled and quickly bowed to step forward, his heart leaping into his throat.

[Here it comes! The new emperor's three bold moves! Is the first one going to hit me?!]

What is he trying to do? Is he going to settle scores with me, the former prime minister? Or is he going to...?

Countless thoughts flashed through Li Shanchang's mind in an instant.

However, what Zhu Muying said next completely surprised him.

"Draft an imperial edict."

Zhu Muying said calmly.

"Draft an imperial edict?" Li Shanchang was taken aback, and subconsciously asked, "Your Majesty... what kind of edict do you wish to draft?"

He doesn't even have pen, ink, paper, or inkstone; how is he supposed to draft this imperial edict?

Zhu Mu-ying did not answer him, but continued speaking to herself:

"First."

"Honor your father as the Retired Emperor, move to the Western Garden, and live out his remaining years in peace. All expenses shall be in accordance with the old system, without any errors."

Everyone was stunned by these words.

Especially Zhu Biao and Empress Ma.

They all thought that, given Zhu Muying's personality, after ascending the throne, even if he didn't kill Zhu Yuanzhang, he would definitely put him under house arrest and keep him under strict surveillance.

But to everyone's surprise, he simply... made Zhu Yuanzhang a retired emperor? And all expenses remained the same?

What incredible magnanimity!

Even Zhu Yuanzhang, who was slumped on the ground, showed a glint of disbelief in his lifeless eyes when he heard these words.

[He...he didn't want to kill us?]

[Does he want us to become the retired emperor?]

Zhu Yuanzhang was filled with mixed feelings. For a moment, he didn't know whether he should feel fortunate or even more... humiliated.

Li Shanchang was also taken aback, but he quickly recovered and bowed, saying, "This old minister... obeys the decree."

"second."

Zhu Muying's voice continued to ring out.

"Crown Prince Zhu Biao is kind, benevolent, filial, self-disciplined, and respectful of propriety, but he is weak-willed and not fit to be the ruler of the state. He is hereby granted the title of 'Prince Yiwen,' a mansion, ten thousand taels of gold, and a thousand bolts of brocade. Without an imperial edict, he is not permitted to participate in political affairs."

boom!

This second decree was even more shocking than the first!

Abandoned prince!

The first thing the new emperor did upon ascending the throne was to depose the crown prince of the previous dynasty!

Although he was given the title of "Prince Yiwen" and rewarded with a large amount of gold and silver, the phrase "He may not participate in political affairs without an imperial edict" clearly told everyone.

Zhu Biao's political career thus came to a complete end.

Everyone's eyes instinctively turned to Zhu Biao.

Upon hearing the imperial decree, Zhu Biao swayed violently, his face turning deathly pale.

But he quickly regained his composure.

He bowed deeply, deeply to Zhu Mu-ying.

"Your subject... thanks Father Emperor... no, thanks Your Majesty for your great kindness."

His voice was calm, even carrying a hint of... relief.

He was too tired to be the crown prince.

Now that he has been relieved of this heavy burden, it may really be a good thing for him.

Empress Ma looked at her two sons, one becoming emperor and the other a prince. Although she felt a little bittersweet, she was mostly gratified.

At least, the tragedy she feared most—fratricide—did not occur.

Zhu Mu-ying shifted her gaze from Zhu Biao and continued:

"third."

"A general amnesty shall be granted. All those who were exiled or imprisoned before the 25th year of the Hongwu reign shall be pardoned, except for those convicted of treason, disrespect, and corruption and bribery. They shall be reinstated to their original positions and their land shall be returned."

This third imperial edict was like a bombshell, causing an uproar within the civil service!

A general amnesty is hereby granted!

Moreover, all crimes except treason and corruption were pardoned!

What does this mean?

This means that all the officials who were dismissed, exiled, or even imprisoned by the harsh and ungrateful Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang during the Hongwu reign for various trivial matters now have the opportunity to be reinstated!

How many of them are their classmates, how many are their old friends, and how many are from their faction?

This is a major reshuffling of power in the imperial court!

Li Shanchang's heart skipped a beat.

He instantly understood the new emperor's intention.

What a brilliant move!

This tactic both won over the hearts of scholars across the land and sowed discord among us, the former officials!

He's telling us, "Those who obey me prosper, those who defy me perish!"

Those officials who are pardoned and returned will surely be deeply grateful to the new emperor and devoted to him wholeheartedly.

[And if we, the old ministers, dare to band together again and rely on our seniority, what awaits us is being torn to shreds by these newly appointed, hungry wolves!]

Li Shanchang felt a chill run down his spine.

This new ruler not only possesses godlike abilities, but also... devilish political wisdom!

"fourth."

Zhu Muying's voice continued.

"The Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Eastern and Western Depots shall be abolished. All matters concerning arrests and interrogations shall be handled by the Three Judicial Offices. No one shall be punished for their words, nor shall any form of extrajudicial punishment be abused."

"fifth."

"The system of artisan households throughout the country shall be abolished. All artisans shall be restored to civilian status and given the same rights as ordinary citizens. All needs of the government shall be met through wage labor, and no forced requisition shall be permitted."

"sixth."

"Abolish the maritime ban. Establish maritime trade offices in various coastal areas to encourage trade. All citizens of our Great Ming Dynasty may go out to sea to trade, and the profits obtained need only be paid to the national treasury according to the law of one-tenth tax."

……

One imperial edict after another was casually uttered by Zhu Muying.

Each imperial decree struck like a thunderbolt, hitting everyone's hearts hard.

Abolish the Embroidered Uniform Guard!

Useless craftsman!

Lift the sea ban!

These were all considered "ancestral rules" and fundamental laws of the "foundation of the state" during the Hongwu reign!

But now, this new ruler, with just one word, has rendered them all obsolete!

This is no longer a case of a new broom sweeping clean.

This is... they just demolished the whole house and are preparing to rebuild it!

Everyone was stunned.

They felt that they were witnessing an unprecedented, brand-new era slowly unfolding before them.

And they are so small, so...powerless.

They could only watch helplessly, unable to make any changes.

After Zhu Muying finished delivering his final decree, the entire palace was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.

Li Shanchang knelt there, without a pen in his hand, but his mind was frantically memorizing every word and phrase he had just heard.

He knew that from today onwards, he, as the prime minister, would be very busy.

Zhu Mu-ying looked at the stunned expressions on everyone's faces and the corners of her mouth turned up slightly.

This is exactly the effect he wanted.

He wanted to use the most direct and brutal method to tell everyone that his era, Zhu Mu-ying's era, was completely different from Zhu Yuan-zhang's era.

He doesn't need those so-called "ancestral rules" to bind him.

He is the rule!

"Li Shanchang," Zhu Mu-ying spoke again.

"Your...this old minister is here," Li Shanchang replied hastily.

"We must see these decrees before dawn and proclaim them to the world."

For the first time, Zhu Mu-ying used the self-reference "zan" in front of his ministers.

This means that he has officially taken over the supreme power of the empire.

"This old minister... obeys the decree!"

Li Shanchang kowtowed heavily, his voice trembling slightly with excitement and fear.

"Xu Da".

Zhu Mu-ying's gaze then fell on Xu Da.

"Your subject is here!" Xu Da replied hastily.

"All troops inside and outside the capital shall, from this moment forward, enter a state of highest alert."

"Anyone who dares to spread rumors, mislead the public, or incite rebellion at this time..."

A cold glint flashed in Zhu Mu-ying's eyes.

"Kill without mercy."

"I... obey your order!"

Xu Da's heart skipped a beat, and he responded loudly.

He knew that the new emperor was giving him a warning, and also a warning to the entire military group.

The most feared event during a change of imperial power is a military coup.

With this decree in place, even if those vassal kings had ten times the courage, they wouldn't dare to act rashly at this time.

After arranging all this, Zhu Mu-ying slowly walked up to the three eunuchs who were holding the dragon robe, the imperial seal, and the emperor's sword.

He neither accepted the magnificent dragon robe nor took the emperor's sword.

His gaze was fixed solely on the Imperial Seal of the State.

He reached out and took the jade seal in his hand.

Upon handling, it feels warm and smooth.

He could sense that this jade seal contained a faint trace of the dynasty's... destiny.

Although this wisp of luck was as insignificant as a firefly in the face of his vast and boundless immortal essence.

But it's better than nothing.

"Starting today."

Zhu Mu-ying raised the jade seal in his hand, faced the crowd, and slowly said in an unquestionable, declarative tone:

"The Great Ming Dynasty shall change its reign title."

"For, 'Divine Martial'."

"The first year of the Shenwu era begins today."

The first year of Shenwu.

When Zhu Muying announced the birth of a brand new era name in his calm and even voice.

The atmosphere in the entire sleeping quarters became heavier than ever before.

If the previous abdication and ascension to the throne were merely power shifts within the Zhu family, then...

Therefore, the act of "changing the era name" was to announce it to the whole world in the most formal and unquestionable way.

The era of Hongwu has come to a complete end.

A new era called "Shenwu," filled with unknowns and variables, has arrived.

Veteran officials like Li Shanchang and Liu Sanwu were filled with mixed emotions. They had served the Hongwu Emperor their entire lives and had a deep affection for this reign title. But now, it was like yesterday's withered flower, easily discarded.

When Xu Da, Lan Yu, and other military generals heard the reign title "Shenwu," their eyes lit up with excitement.

Divine Might!

What is divine martial prowess?

With godlike martial arts skills, he reigns supreme over the world!

This reign title is practically tailor-made for their new emperor!

Just listening to it makes you feel excited and exudes domineering aura!

"Divine Martial..."

Zhu Yuanzhang, who had been slumped on the ground, unconsciously chewed on the new reign title, and a complex and inscrutable light flashed in his empty eyes.

The prosperous "Hongwu" era he established was ultimately replaced by his son's "Shenwu" era.

Perhaps this is fate.

Zhu Muying ignored the various thoughts on everyone's mind.

He toyed with the Imperial Seal of the State in his hand, his gaze slowly falling on Zhang Sanfeng, who had been kneeling in the corner from beginning to end, as if in deep meditation.

"Zhang Sanfeng".

He spoke calmly.

Zhang Sanfeng's body trembled slightly, and he slowly opened his eyes.

The madness and breakdown that had been in his bloodshot eyes were gone, replaced by a kind of... peace and clarity after a profound understanding.

"This humble Taoist is here."

He stood up and bowed to Zhu Muying once again, performing a Taoist kowtow.

This time, his demeanor was more humble and more...natural than before.

It seemed that in his eyes, Zhu Muying was already a true "immortal master" who was on a different level of life than him.

"You previously wanted to become my disciple?"

Zhu Muying asked.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Sanfeng gave a wry smile and shook his head.

"Previously, I was foolish and ignorant, and dared to try to explore the path of immortality."

"Now I realize that there is a difference between immortals and mortals, and that the Great Dao is merciless. With my mortal aptitude, I am not even qualified to be a disciple of an immortal master."

He spoke from the heart.

After witnessing Zhu Muying's "lotus blooming in the palm" magic firsthand, his pride as a grandmaster of martial arts was completely crushed.

Now, all he feels for Zhu Muying is the purest, deepest reverence...

Zhu Muying looked at him and smiled noncommittally.

"You do have some self-awareness."

"but……"

He then changed the subject.

"Although I don't take on apprentices, I do have someone by my side who runs errands and relays messages."

"I intend to build a 'Shenwu Temple' in the east of the capital to enshrine the Three Pure Ones and expound the profound methods of immortality."

"I think you should be the abbot of this 'Shenwu Temple'."

Everyone was stunned by these words.

Shenwu Temple?

Viewer?

Your Majesty is... going to support Taoism?

Moreover, they even appointed Zhang Sanfeng, the founder of the Wudang School, as the abbot.

What kind of operation is this?

No one could understand it.

Only Zhang Sanfeng himself, upon hearing the six words "expounding the wondrous methods of immortality," felt his Dao heart, which had just calmed down, begin to beat wildly and violently once again!

The wondrous methods of immortality!

The immortal master... he's going to... impart his teachings?!

Although it wasn't taught directly to him, just being able to stay in the temple, even if he only heard a few words, would be an incredible opportunity!

"Disciple...disciple Zhang Sanfeng...kowtows to thank the Immortal Master...no, kowtows to thank Your Majesty for the Heavenly Grace!"

Zhang Sanfeng was so excited that he trembled all over. He knelt down again and kowtowed three times to Zhu Muying.

This time, he kowtowed willingly and with ecstatic joy.

Zhu Muying looked at his tearful gratitude and a hint of amusement flashed in her eyes.

He certainly didn't really want to support Taoism.

He established this "Shenwu Temple" simply to find a place to systematically organize the vast amount of theoretical knowledge about cultivation in his mind, and then make it public.

He wanted to take a look.

What changes will occur when the people of this world come into contact with true "immortal arts"?

In this world, is there anyone who, relying on these theories, can truly forge their own... path to immortality?

This is an interesting experiment.

Zhang Sanfeng was the first and most important experiment he chose.

After dealing with Zhang Sanfeng's matter, Zhu Muying's gaze returned to the hall.

He looked at the civil and military officials who were still bowing and standing solemnly, not daring to even breathe loudly.

Looking at the Crown Prince standing to the side, his expression complex.

Looking at the mother supporting Zhu Biao, her face showed both relief and worry.

Finally, his gaze fell on the head of the military officers, the old general who had kept his head down the whole time but whose back was ramrod straight—Xu Da.

"Xu Da".

"Your subject is here!"

Xu Da's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly stepped forward to respond.

He had a strong premonition.

Next, the new emperor will talk about a major event that is closely related to him and the entire Xu family.

really.

Zhu Muying spoke slowly in his flat, emotionless voice:

"I have heard that the Duke of Wei has a daughter named Miaoyun, who is seventeen years old, virtuous and kind, and beautiful and talented."

Xu Da's breathing stopped instantly.

His mind was blank.

It's here! It's really here!

His Majesty...he wants to...

Before he could even recover from the immense shock and elation...

Zhu Mu-ying's unquestionable voice rang out once again.

"My harem cannot be without a mistress for even a day."

"Issue my decree."

"Xu Miaoyun, daughter of General Xu Da, is hereby appointed as the first empress of the Ming Dynasty."

"The wedding will be held three days later."

"So be it."

These few words, though brief, were like a divine decree from the heavens, once again silencing the entire palace.

Confer the title of Empress!

The first decree issued by the new emperor concerning his personal affairs was to appoint an empress!

Moreover, the one who was bestowed the title was the daughter of Xu Da, the Duke of Wei!

What does this mean?

This means that on the very first day of his reign, the new emperor made his stance clear to the entire world!

He wants to make good use of military generals!

He wanted to completely bind the military group to his war machine!

In that instant, the faces of all the civil officials turned incredibly ugly.

They seemed to foresee that in the future imperial court, they, the scholars, would be suppressed by those crude and vulgar warriors, unable to raise their heads.

The military officers, on the other hand, were all beaming with joy, their faces flushed with excitement.

Lan Yu, in particular, slapped his thigh hard, grinned widely, and laughed like a fool.

[Great news! Marshal Xu's daughter has become Empress! From now on, we'll be royalty!]

Let's see if those pedantic scholars still dare to challenge us!

As the central figure in this matter, Xu Da was completely dumbfounded at this moment.

Happiness came too suddenly.

Suddenly, he even thought he was dreaming.

His daughter is going to be empress?

Is Xu Da going to become the emperor's father-in-law?

He felt like a beggar who had been poor his whole life, and one day, he was suddenly knocked unconscious by a gold ingot falling from the sky.

"Your subject... Your subject... Xu Da..."

He knelt on the ground, his lips trembling, too excited to utter a complete sentence.

"Your subject...receives the imperial decree...thanks...thanks to Your Majesty...for Your boundless grace..."

As he spoke, tears streamed down his face as he repeatedly kowtowed to Zhu Mu-ying, the sound of his kowtows echoing loudly.

Zhu Mu-ying looked at him and simply nodded.

He chose Xu Miaoyun, certainly not because of any so-called "talent and beauty".

He simply needed a woman of sufficient status and powerful background to be his empress, to help him stabilize the court and silence public criticism.

Xu Da's daughter was undoubtedly the best choice.

As for feelings?

For a celestial being who has lived for countless years and witnessed the birth and death of the universe.

Human emotions are the cheapest and most boring things.

He doesn't need it.

Three days later, in the autumn of the first year of Shenwu.

A royal wedding, worthy of being recorded in history yet shrouded in mystery, was solemnly held in Jinling City.

It was considered grand because the scale of this wedding far surpassed that of any emperor throughout history.

From the Prince of Ying's Mansion, which is now the Imperial Palace, to the Duke of Wei's Mansion, the ten-mile-long Zhuque Avenue was swept spotless by the Imperial Guards, and the streets were lined with the most vibrant red carpets transported from Jiangnan.

Every household along the street was given three coins and a bolt of red cloth, and was required to decorate with lanterns and celebrate all night long.

The entire city of Jinling was immersed in a sea of ​​joy and fervor.

It's considered bizarre because many details of the wedding completely overturned people's understanding.

There were no complicated "six rites" or lengthy sacrificial ceremonies to Heaven.

The wedding procession was not composed of officials from the Ministry of Rites and members of the imperial family, but rather... led by Lan Yu, Mu Chun, and other battle-hardened generals, consisting of three thousand Xuanjia soldiers clad in bright armor and wielding Mo Dao (a type of long-handled sword).

The black armored torrent, escorting a phoenix palanquin made of pure gold and carried by thirty-two men, slowly passed through Zhuque Avenue. The chilling aura it exuded made the onlookers on both sides of the street not dare to even breathe.

This is hardly a wedding procession.

This is clearly... going to war!

The strangest thing was the groom.

That is, the new emperor of the current dynasty, Emperor Shenwu, Zhu Muying.

He wasn't wearing that elaborate wedding dragon robe; he was still dressed in a simple, plain white outfit.

He did not ride a horse or sit in a dragon carriage.

He stood alone, quietly atop the Chengtian Gate tower of the imperial palace, hands behind his back, seemingly riding the wind, his robes fluttering in the breeze.

When the imperial carriage carrying the bride from the Duke of Wei's mansion slowly drove back to the palace.

Everyone witnessed a scene they would never forget.

The Divine Emperor, atop the city tower, simply waved to the slowly approaching phoenix carriage.

next second.

The pure gold phoenix carriage, weighing thousands of kilograms, along with the bride inside, defied all the laws of physics and floated up slowly out of thin air!

Under the horrified gazes of countless people, the phoenix carriage transformed into a golden streak of light, crossed the towering palace walls, and landed steadily on the city tower of Chengtian Gate, beside Zhu Muying.

"A miracle! It's a miracle!"

"Your Majesty is truly a god descended to earth!"

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

After a brief silence, the entire city of Jinling erupted in cheers and shouts as loud as a landslide.

Countless people were so moved that tears welled up in their eyes. They knelt down and kowtowed wildly in the direction of the city gate.

The way they looked at Zhu Muying was filled with the most primal, purest... fanatical worship!

At this moment, in their hearts, Zhu Muying was no longer an emperor of the mortal world.

Rather, it is a living, breathing god who walks among humans!

On the city wall, Zhu Muying looked down at the vast, kneeling mass of people below, her face still bearing that calm expression.

This is exactly the effect he wanted.

He wanted to use this most direct and shocking method to plant a seed of "divine right of kings" in everyone's heart.

He wanted everyone to understand that he, as emperor, was ordained by Heaven and a god descended to earth.

His will is the will of Heaven.

His words are divine pronouncements.

Those who follow the way prosper, those who oppose it perish.

His gaze shifted from the crowd below and slowly landed on the magnificent phoenix carriage beside him.

The beaded curtain of the phoenix carriage swayed gently, and one could vaguely see a graceful figure sitting inside, draped in a phoenix coronet and embroidered robe.

The figure was trembling slightly with tension and excitement.

Zhu Muying reached out and gently lifted the beaded curtain.

A face that could express both joy and anger, breathtakingly beautiful, appeared before him.

It was the newly appointed Empress, Xu Miaoyun.

At this moment, Xu Miaoyun had exquisite makeup on her face, wore a nine-dragon and four-phoenix crown, and was dressed in a bright red pheasant robe, making her incomparably beautiful.

But her bright eyes were filled with tension, unease, and a hint of... an undeniable curiosity and fear of the unknown.

Although she was the daughter of a military general, she was well-read and exceptionally intelligent from a young age.

Of course she knew what kind of "person" she was going to marry.

That was a monster who, single-handedly, overturned the entire court, forced his father to abdicate, and was revered as a "land god" by all the civil and military officials, and even by Zhang Zhenren of Wudang.

Whether marrying such a person would be a blessing or a curse, she had no idea.

"Greetings... Your Majesty..."

Upon seeing Zhu Muying, Xu Miaoyun hurriedly struggled to get up and bow.

However, before she could move, a warm hand gently pressed down on her shoulder.

"No need."

Zhu Muying's voice was very calm, revealing no emotion whatsoever.

He looked at the woman before him, the woman with whom he was supposed to spend his life, and his eyes remained completely unmoved.

It's like looking at a... beautiful, but lifeless piece of porcelain.

"From this day forward, you shall be my Empress."

Zhu Mu-ying said calmly.

"Yes... Your Majesty... I obey." Xu Miaoyun lowered her head, her voice barely audible.

"Raise your head."

Zhu Muying gave the order.

Xu Miaoyun's body trembled slightly, but she still mustered her courage and slowly raised her head to meet Zhu Muying's gaze.

When she saw Zhu Muying's eyes clearly, her heart skipped a beat.

What kind of eyes were those!

Profound, vast, and as serene as a boundless starry sky.

In those eyes, she could see no emotion that a mortal should have.

There was no joy, no desire, no...love.

Yes, but it is only a kind of... absolute... indifference that looks down on all living beings and sees through everything.

As she was being stared at by those eyes, Xu Miaoyun felt as if her very soul had been seen through.

All her girlish thoughts, her fantasies and fears about the future, seemed so ridiculous and childish under that gaze.

She felt like a naked person standing in front of a mirror that reflected her past and future.

There is nowhere to hide.

Are you afraid of me?

Zhu Muying slowly spoke, breaking the suffocating silence.

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty... I dare not..."

Although Xu Miaoyun said that, her uncontrollable, slightly trembling body betrayed her.

Looking at her like this, Zhu Muying's lips curled into a faint smile.

"You don't need to be afraid of me."

As he spoke, he reached out and gently lifted Xu Miaoyun's chin, forcing her to look him in the eye.

His fingers were icy cold, devoid of any warmth.

"I will not harm you."

"As long as... you listen to me."

His voice was soft and gentle, but to Xu Miaoyun's ears it was no less than the whisper of the devil.

The last sentence, "As long as you listen to me," sent a chill down her spine.

She had no doubt that if she disobeyed him in any way, this seemingly harmless man would not hesitate to erase her, along with the entire Xu family, from this world.

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty... I will certainly obey..."

Xu Miaoyun's voice was tinged with a sob, and tears uncontrollably streamed down her face.

She knew from the moment she sat in that phoenix carriage.

Her life no longer belonged to her.

She will become a canary imprisoned in a magnificent cage.

Without freedom, there is no self.

They could only eke out a living by relying on their master's whims.

Looking at her tearful appearance, Zhu Muying's eyes flashed with a barely perceptible... annoyance.

What he hates most is tears.

This is something only the weak possess.

He released her hand, slowly stood up, turned around, and stopped looking at her.

He turned his gaze to the vast and boundless land below the city walls, a land that belonged to him.

"What is it that you want?"

He suddenly asked a question out of the blue.

Xu Miaoyun was stunned for a moment, not understanding what he meant.

"You already have the throne of Empress."

"I have also bestowed upon you the glory of the family."

"Besides that, what else do you want?"

"Wealth? Power? Or... something else?"

Zhu Muying's voice drifted over, carrying a kind of... magical power that seemed to grant any wish.

Tell me.

"Anything that exists in this mortal world, I can give you."

Xu Miaoyun was stunned.

She stared at the figure standing with his hands behind his back, dressed in pristine white, and her mind went completely blank.

Is he... testing me?

Or... are you really willing to grant my wish?

She remembered her father's instructions to her before he saw her off in the sedan chair.

"Miaoyun, this journey is not like staying at home. Serving the emperor is like serving a tiger, and what's more, His Majesty... is no ordinary man. You must be careful and cautious, restrain your mind, and absolutely must not have any improper thoughts, otherwise, not only you, but the entire Xu family will be doomed!"

My father's words still ring in my ears.

Xu Miaoyun took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down.

She knew it was an opportunity, but also... a trap.

Saying the wrong thing could lead to your death.

Her brain was working at lightning speed.

Wealth? Power?

She liked these things, but she knew that these were definitely not the answers the man in front of her wanted to hear.

For a "god" who doesn't even care about the country, what do these mundane things matter?

What is it that he wants to hear?

Xu Miaoyun's gaze fell on Zhu Muying again.

Looking at his aloof figure, seemingly out of place in the world, she suddenly felt a strange mix of sorrow and pity welling up inside her.

He... must be very lonely.

Standing so high up, looking down on us mortals who are like ants.

[No friends, no family, not even... a single person with whom I can have an equal conversation.]

Everything he possessed was not what he wanted.

So what is it that he wants?

A bold idea, one that even frightened her, flashed through her mind.

She gritted her teeth, as if using all her strength, and mustered her courage to speak softly:

"His Majesty."

"Your Majesty... I don't want anything."

Zhu Muying's figure paused slightly.

"Your Majesty, I only hope..."

Xu Miaoyun's voice carried a hint of gentleness that even she herself hadn't noticed...

"When Your Majesty feels...lonely."

"Your Majesty, I am happy to stay by your side and talk to you."

Even just sitting quietly is fine.

After saying this, Xu Miaoyun nervously held her breath, awaiting the final judgment.

A long silence fell upon the city gate tower.

Only the wind was blowing gently.

A long time passed, so long that Xu Miaoyun thought she was about to be executed.

Zhu Muying's calm voice slowly rang out again.

"That's interesting."

He turned around and looked at Xu Miaoyun again.

For the first time, a genuine interest—a hint—was revealed in those deep, star-like eyes.

"From today onwards, you shall live here at Chengtian Gate."

He pointed to the empty city tower, where there was no one else but him and her.

"You are not allowed to go down without my permission."

After saying that, he ignored the bewildered Xu Miaoyun and vanished without a trace from the city wall.

Xu Miaoyun was left alone, sitting blankly in the cold phoenix carriage, looking at the empty city tower and below it, at the human world that was still cheering wildly...

A smile, more painful than a grimace, appeared on her face.

Wedding night.

Her husband imprisoned her alone atop this high city tower.

Is this her fate as the first empress of the Divine Martial Dynasty?

Late at night.

The cheers in Nanjing gradually subsided.

Atop the Chengtian Gate tower, a cold wind howled, and all was deathly silent.

Xu Miaoyun sat alone, quietly inside the magnificent yet cold phoenix carriage.

She was still wearing her phoenix coronet and wedding gown.

The exquisite makeup hadn't been removed yet.

She was like a forgotten, exquisite puppet, carelessly abandoned in this highest and loneliest place in the world.

She didn't know how long she had been sitting there.

One hour? Two hours?

She felt as if her body was so cold that she was almost numb.

My stomach was growling loudly from hunger.

But she dared not move.

Without that person's permission, she dared not leave the phoenix carriage even for a moment.

She is afraid.

The fear that came from the depths of her soul prevented her from even having the slightest thought of resistance.

She could only huddle in a corner of the phoenix carriage, hugging her arms, shivering, silently enduring the endless cold, hunger, and... loneliness.

Just when she felt she was about to freeze to death.

A familiar yet indifferent voice rang in her ears without warning.

Are you hungry?

Xu Miaoyun's body trembled violently.

She looked up and saw that the white figure had reappeared in front of her at some point.

He was also holding a food box in his hand.

"Eat."

Zhu Muying handed the food box to her.

Xu Miaoyun looked at the food box, then at Zhu Muying's still expressionless face, and for a moment, she was unable to react.

[Is he...is he...concerned about me?]

This thought inexplicably warmed her already cold heart.

"Thank you... thank you, Your Majesty..."

She reached out her trembling hand and took the food box.

Upon opening it, I found several delicate side dishes and a bowl of steaming millet porridge.

It's a very simple meal.

But for Xu Miaoyun, who was starving and freezing at the moment, it was no less than a delicacy.

She picked up the spoon and began to wolf down her food.

She no longer cared about maintaining the demeanor of an empress.

Zhu Muying stood quietly to the side, watching her eat, without saying a word.

His gaze was calm, as if he were observing an...interesting little animal.

Soon, Xu Miaoyun finished the bowl of porridge and a few side dishes.

She felt her body finally regain a bit of warmth and strength.

"Your Majesty... I have been impolite..."

She put down her chopsticks and lowered her head somewhat embarrassed.

"It's alright."

Zhu Muying said calmly.

He put away the food box, and then, under Xu Miaoyun's astonished gaze, he actually sat down as well.

He sat on the steps of the imperial carriage, beside her.

The two were less than a foot apart.

Xu Miaoyun could even smell the faint, cool fragrance emanating from him, like a blue lotus blooming atop a snow-capped mountain.

Her heart began to pound uncontrollably.

"Your name is Xu Miaoyun?"

Zhu Muying suddenly spoke, breaking the silence.

"Yes... Your concubine's name is Miaoyun."

"Miaoyun..." Zhu Muying pondered the name, then nodded. "A good name."

"Thank you... thank you for the compliment, Your Majesty..."

Xu Miaoyun's heart started beating even faster.

This was the first time he had praised himself.

Although, it was just a compliment to his own name.

"You said before that you wanted to talk to me?"

Zhu Muying turned her head and looked at her.

Under the cover of night, his eyes shone with an astonishing light, as if they could suck in one's very soul.

"Yes...yes..."

Xu Miaoyun dared not meet his gaze and quickly lowered her head.

"Alright then."

Zhu Muying nodded.

"Now, keep me company and talk to me."

"Say...say what?" Xu Miaoyun was stunned.

She had absolutely no idea what to talk about with a "god".

Let's talk about the weather? People's livelihood? ...Poetry and songs?

She felt that no matter what she talked about, it would all seem incredibly...childish and ridiculous in front of this man.

"Anything is fine."

Zhu Mu-ying's tone remained as casual as ever.

Tell me about yourself.

"Tell me about your past life, your family, your... hobbies."

"I want to hear how a mortal lives."

His words made Xu Miaoyun's heart clench.

How does an ordinary person live...?

He said it so matter-of-factly, so naturally.

It was as if he had truly transcended the realm of "human".

A strange pang of sorrow welled up in Xu Miaoyun's heart.

She looked up at the man before her, who possessed everything in the world yet seemed to have nothing, and, as if possessed, asked a question that even she found incredibly bold.

"And what about His Majesty?"

"Your Majesty... how did you live before?"

Zhu Muying was stunned.

He seemed to have never expected that this mortal woman, whom he considered as insignificant as an ant, would dare to... ask him a question in return.

A dangerous glint flashed in his eyes.

The temperature on the city wall seemed to drop several degrees in that instant.

Xu Miaoyun realized her slip of the tongue, turned pale with fright, and immediately knelt down.

"Your Majesty, I deserve to die! I misspoke! Please forgive me!"

She slammed her head heavily against the cold floor tiles.

However, the expected thunderous wrath did not come.

After a long while, Zhu Muying's calm voice slowly rang out.

Get up.

Xu Miaoyun dared not move.

"I tell you to get up."

Zhu Muying's voice became a few decibels louder.

Xu Miaoyun then shakily got up from the ground, sat back on the phoenix carriage, lowered her head, and dared not look at him again.

A long silence fell once again atop the city wall.

Just when Xu Miaoyun thought she was about to spend her wedding night in this suffocating silence,

Zhu Muying suddenly smiled.

It was a very light, faint smile.

His laughter carried a hint of self-mockery and loneliness that even he himself was unaware of.

"How did I live before?"

He repeated Xu Miaoyun's question, his gaze fixed on the endless darkness in the distance, as if piercing through time and space to see that distant, long-forgotten past...

"I have lived for a very, very long time."

"So long ago, I've forgotten who I really am."

"I was once a beggar, fighting with wild dogs for food under the starry sky."

"I was once an emperor, standing atop the highest heavens, looking down upon all living beings."

"I once fought a great battle with someone for three days and three nights for a single immortal herb, shattering countless stars in the process."

"I once sat for 100,000 years for a promise, witnessing the changing of the world."

His voice was calm, as if he were telling a story that had nothing to do with him.

But every word in that story struck Xu Miaoyun like a thunderclap, leaving her mind blank.

A beggar? An emperor? Someone who shattered stars? Someone who sat in meditation for ten thousand years?

What... what are all these things?

She felt that what she was listening to was not one person's past, but a mythological epic spanning hundreds of millions of years!

"I have witnessed the birth of the universe."

"I've also witnessed the destruction of the world."

"I have witnessed countless civilizations rise and fall."

"I have also seen countless living beings struggling in the cycle of reincarnation."

"My friends are all dead."

"My enemies are all dead."

In the end, only I was left.

Zhu Muying turned her head and looked at Xu Miaoyun, who was completely dumbfounded. For the first time, a trace of true... confusion appeared in her calm eyes.

"you say."

"What's the point of living like this?"

This question was like an invisible hammer, striking Xu Miaoyun's heart hard.

She looked at the "god" before her, who was incredibly powerful yet incredibly lonely.

The inexplicable sorrow and pity in my heart reached its peak at this moment.

She forgot her fear, forgot her social status.

She reached out and gently grasped his cold, lifeless hand.

Then, in a voice that was gentle yet firm, unlike any he had ever heard before, he spoke slowly and deliberately:

"have."

"As long as you are alive, you will definitely have meaning."

"If...if you can't find it right now."

"Then I will accompany you in your search."

"If we can't find it in one day, we'll search for two."

"If we can't find it in a year, we'll search for ten years, a hundred years, a thousand years..."

"Until...it is found."

Her hands were very warm.

Her voice was very soft.

But it was like a faint, yet incredibly bright light.

The light shone into Zhu Muying's heart, which had been dormant for billions of years and was as cold as the abyss of the universe...

Zhu Muying's body jolted violently.

He looked down at the warm little hand that was tightly holding his.

She raised her head again, looking at the ordinary woman in front of her, her face streaked with tears yet beaming with smiles.

At this moment, his usually calm and unwavering Dao heart was unexpectedly stirred by a ripple that even he himself found unfamiliar.

"you……"

He opened his mouth, as if he wanted to say something.

But in the end, he simply turned his hand around and gripped that little hand even tighter.

The cold wind still blows atop the city wall.

But for some reason, the distance between the two seemed to have lessened...the coldness.

A god who has been lonely for billions of years.

And a person as insignificant as dust.

On the first night of the first year of the Shenwu era, their fates became intertwined in a way that no one could have predicted.

The autumn of the first year of the Shenwu reign was a season filled with magic for the people of the entire Ming Dynasty.

They witnessed firsthand an old immortal from Wudang Mountain, who was over a hundred years old, bowing deeply before His Highness the Prince of Ying.

They witnessed firsthand how the old emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, in full view of everyone, abdicated the throne to his son.

They also witnessed firsthand how the newly enthroned Emperor Shenwu, on his wedding day, rode the wind and carried the phoenix carriage, displaying unparalleled supernatural powers that only immortals possess.

One after another, bizarre and extraordinary events, enough to overturn their worldview, occurred one after another.

It made everyone feel like they were living in a dream.

However, as they gradually calmed down from their initial shock and euphoria, they realized...

This divine emperor brought them far more than just these miracles.

Rather, it is a real, earth-shattering change.

The day after Emperor Shenwu ascended the throne.

A series of groundbreaking national policies, powerful enough to shake the world, spread from the capital to the entire Ming Dynasty at an unprecedented speed.

First, abolish the maritime ban and open up the market for ships.

This decree was like a godsend for the coastal fishermen and merchants who had relied on the sea for generations.

Countless commercial energies that had been suppressed for decades were ignited in an instant.

Ships laden with silk, porcelain, and tea set sail for the azure ocean, a land brimming with wealth and the unknown.

What they brought back from overseas was not only mountains of gold and silver treasures, but also countless novel crops and technologies.

High-yield corn, potatoes, and sweet potatoes were quickly promoted to every corner of the Ming Dynasty, allowing farmers who had previously struggled on barren land to taste the flavor of "harvest" for the first time.

Second, abolish the artisan household system and restore the civilian household registration system.

This decree liberated millions of artisans who had been bound to government workshops and enslaved for generations.

They regained their freedom and unleashed amazing creativity.

More sophisticated textile machines, sharper agricultural tools, more advanced smelting technology...

New inventions of all kinds are emerging one after another, like bamboo shoots after a spring rain.

The overall productivity level of the Ming Dynasty achieved a leap forward in just a few years.

Third, grant a general amnesty and appoint officials based solely on their talent.

Countless talented and ambitious people who had been dismissed from office or exiled during the Hongwu reign for various reasons were reinstated.

The imperial examination system also underwent sweeping reforms.

The exam no longer only tested the Four Books and Five Classics, but also added more practical subjects such as mathematics, physics, law, and policy essays.

A large number of open-minded, capable, and pragmatic talents began to enter the bureaucratic system of the Ming Dynasty, injecting unprecedented fresh blood into this ancient empire.

Fourth, establish the "Shenwu Temple" to widely spread the Daoist teachings.

To ordinary people, this might simply be seen as the emperor's devotion to Taoism.

But in the eyes of true, insightful people, it was a far more significant event than all the previous reforms combined.

Shenwu Temple was personally overseen by Zhang Sanfeng, a living deity.

Inside the temple, there was no incense burning and no statues of deities.

There were only a few libraries.

The library did not contain Taoist classics, but rather some strange "books" that they had never heard of or seen before.

Those books were all "written" by the Divine Emperor himself.

What is recorded above is a brand new and complete cultivation system called "cultivation".

From the most basic "guiding qi into the body" to "qi refining", "foundation building", "golden elixir", "nascent soul"...

Each realm has incredibly detailed descriptions of cultivation techniques, elixirs, magical artifacts, and formations.

It was a magnificent and beautiful world of immortals and heroes, completely beyond the imagination of ordinary people.

When these books were first published to the public.

The entire martial arts world has gone mad.

Only then did they realize that beyond their proud "martial arts," there existed a far broader and more exciting world.

Countless martial arts masters and chivalrous heroes abandoned sectarian differences and flocked to the capital and Shenwu Temple as if on a pilgrimage.

They studied day and night, neglecting to eat or sleep.

Although, due to the scarcity of spiritual energy in this world, the vast majority of people will never be able to truly embark on the "path of cultivation" in their entire lives.

But those theories also greatly broadened their horizons.

This allowed them to forge a completely new and even more powerful path based on their existing martial arts foundation.

For a time, the martial arts world of the Ming Dynasty was teeming with geniuses and masters.

The overall strength of the martial arts world has increased by more than one level.

……

Time flies by amidst these ever-changing events.

In the blink of an eye, ten years have passed.

Ten years of Shenwu.

The Ming Dynasty had become a completely new entity, unfamiliar to everyone.

The national treasury is full, the people are prosperous, the world is at peace, and all nations come to pay tribute.

The Mongols in the north had long been completely defeated by the Shenwu Army, led by Lan Yu and equipped with new firearms, and fled far to the northern desert, no longer posing any threat.

After witnessing the Ming Dynasty's treasure ship fleet, which resembled steel behemoths, the Japanese pirates in the East were so frightened that they dared not even leave their homes.

An unprecedented, glorious and prosperous "Divine Martial Age" is beginning to take shape.

The man who created this golden age was the Divine Martial Emperor, Zhu Muying.

But it was as if they had disappeared from everyone's sight.

In the ten years since he ascended the throne, he has only attended court three times.

After promulgating the initial reform policies, he handed over all government affairs to the cabinet headed by Li Shanchang and the Imperial Clan Court headed by Zhu Biao.

He himself, along with his empress Xu Miaoyun, lived year-round atop the tall Chengtianmen city tower.

He was indifferent to worldly affairs and politics.

Nobody knows what he was doing up there.

No one dared to go up and look.

He was like a true god, high above, looking down on the prosperous world he had created, yet he was completely out of place in this world.

West Garden, Qingxin Hall.

This is where the retired Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang spent his later years.

Inside the hall, the air was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood, and the atmosphere was warm and cozy, like springtime.

An elderly man with gray hair and a wrinkled face was lying in a rocking chair, leisurely basking in the sun.

Beside him, an equally aged but remarkably spry old woman was patiently peeling an orange for him.

It was Zhu Yuanzhang, who had abdicated, and his empress, Ma Xiuying.

"Zhongba, eat some oranges."

Empress Ma offered a segment of orange to Zhu Yuanzhang's lips.

Zhu Yuanzhang opened his mouth, ate the orange, and chewed it slowly.

The sweet and sour juice bursts in your mouth.

"Mmm, sweet."

He squinted his eyes and said with a satisfied expression.

"Eat slowly, no one's going to take it from you."

As she spoke, Empress Ma peeled another petal and handed it over.

Between the two, there was no emperor and empress, only an ordinary old married couple who had supported each other through thick and thin for a lifetime.

Just then, a gentle voice came from outside the hall.

"Father, Mother."

A middle-aged man dressed in the everyday clothes of a prince, with a refined appearance, walked in slowly.

It was Zhu Biao, who was granted the title of "Prince Yiwen".

"Biao'er is here."

When Empress Ma saw Zhu Biao, a kind smile appeared on her face.

"Quickly, sit down."

"Thank you, Mother Empress."

Zhu Biao bowed and sat down on the stool next to him.

"My child, didn't I tell you not to come here every day?" Zhu Yuanzhang opened his eyes, looked at his eldest son, and although his tone was somewhat reproachful, his eyes were full of satisfaction.

"Your Majesty, I just missed Father and Mother," Zhu Biao said with a smile.

Although he no longer holds the title of Crown Prince, he is now living a more relaxed and carefree life than ever before.

No longer need to deal with those complicated political affairs, no longer need to worry about the emperor's suspicions, no longer need to navigate between different factions.

Now, his daily life consists of spending time with his wife and children, reading books, playing chess, and occasionally visiting Xiyuan to talk with his parents.

This simple and peaceful life made him feel an unprecedented...happiness.

"You..." Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head with a smile.

He glanced at Zhu Biao, then at Empress Ma beside him, and a warm feeling welled up in his heart.

Ten years after his abdication, he has completely emerged from the shadow of that time.

He was no longer the ruthless, suspicious, and distrustful Hongwu Emperor.

He was just an ordinary old man enjoying his family life.

Now, his happiest thing every day is to lie here, bask in the sun, and listen to the storytellers outside telling the novel stories of the Shenwu Dynasty.

Listen to the people's heartfelt praise and songs of admiration for that divine emperor.

Whenever he heard these things, he still felt a pang of bitterness and resentment.

But more than anything, it felt a sense of pride that was hard to put into words.

Look, that's our son!

This prosperous and peaceful era, which has lasted for generations, was won by him for the Zhu family!

We didn't lose unjustly!

"By the way, Biao'er," Empress Ma suddenly remembered something and asked, "How is the fourth prince... lately?"

Upon hearing the title "Fourth Brother," both Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao instinctively stiffened slightly.

Although ten years have passed, the shadow that man left in their hearts is still so...deep.

"My fourth brother... he's still the same as always."

Zhu Biao gave a wry smile and shook his head.

"They still stay on Chengtian Gate every day, never coming down."

"I tried to go see him a few days ago, but I couldn't even get over the city gate."

"It seems that he used some kind of magic to seal that city gate; no one can go up except for my younger brother and sister-in-law."

Upon hearing this, a hint of worry and desolation flashed in Empress Ma's eyes.

"Sigh, this child..."

"When will he finally come down and look at us, his family...?"

Zhu Yuanzhang listened to the conversation between the mother and son without saying a word.

He simply raised his head slowly and turned his gaze toward the direction of the palace, toward the towering Chengtian Gate that seemed to pierce the clouds.

His gaze pierced through the palace walls and through time and space.

It felt like I was seeing that night from ten years ago again.

The son dressed in white, the figure lifted up by the golden lotus, the seven-colored lotus flower that he devoured in one bite.

And that sentence, which haunted him like a nightmare for the rest of his life...

"I don't care about your empire."

A relieved smile slowly crept onto Zhu Yuanzhang's lips.

He closed his eyes, rested his head gently against the rocking chair, and let out a satisfied, soft snore.

The warm sunlight shone down on him.

A scene of peace and tranquility.

……

Chengtianmen, the top of the city gate tower.

Zhu Muying stood with his hands behind his back, dressed in white, seemingly riding the wind.

Beside him, Xu Miaoyun, dressed in palace attire, smiled sweetly and gently draped a cloak over his shoulders.

"My lord, the wind is rising."

Her voice was as gentle as water.

Ten years of being together had long since made her no longer as afraid of this man as she used to be.

She had grown accustomed to his indifference, his strength, and that occasional hint of... tenderness.

She knew that she was the only person in the world who could enter his heart.

Although it was only a small step forward.

But that's enough.

"Um."

Zhu Muying responded faintly without turning around.

His gaze swept over the bustling, vibrant city below.

Looking at the endless stream of people, the rows of houses, and the vast expanse of golden wheat fields in the distance.

His eyes remained completely still.

It was as if all of this had nothing to do with him.

"My husband."

Xu Miaoyun looked at his aloof figure and asked softly:

Are you still looking?

"Searching for...the meaning of life?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Muying remained silent for a moment.

Then, slowly, he shook his head.

"It's no longer important."

He turned around and looked at Xu Miaoyun. For the first time, her reflection was seen in his deep, star-like eyes.

"because……"

He reached out and gently pulled her into his arms.

"I've found it."

Xu Miaoyun's body suddenly stiffened.

Immediately afterwards, an immense, indescribable sense of happiness overwhelmed her.

Her tears, uncontrollably, streamed down her face.

But this time, it wasn't out of fear, nor out of resentment.

Rather, it's because of...joy.

She buried her head deeply in that broad chest that she had relied on and looked up to her throughout her life.

"My husband..."

"Um."

A gentle breeze swept across the city tower.

A perfect couple stood embracing each other.

Beneath their feet lies a vast land, a prosperous age for humanity.

In their eyes, each other is the whole world.

(End of the article)