Death… and me

Chu Yang paused in silence for a moment before he spoke, “I know about Senior Du’s disappearance.”

Tie Bu Tian’s face turned pale. He had already sensed that he had something to do with it. However, when the words came out of Chu Yang’s mouth, he was shocked!

Tie Shi Cheng smiled with satisfaction as he said, “You only know about it?”

Chu Yang remained silent for a brief moment before he answered, “I only know about it. I had not expected that Senior Du would have disappeared as soon as he did and at such a coincidental time.”

So in the end, Chu Yang still kept certain details to himself? “Really?” “Senior Du once mentioned that staying on in Iron Cloud is dangerous for him.” Chu Yang added casually. “Right.” Tie Shi Cheng and Tie Bu Tian, standing behind him, both nodded softly.

Tie Shi Cheng simply laughed as he said, “Even Tie Bu Tian understood that. That when Du Shi Qing treated me ten years ago, him being here is dangerous.”

Chu Yang was slightly startled as he looked at Tie Bu Tian and as Tie Bu Tian looked back at him with a conflicted expression on his face.

So Tie Bu Tian was already aware of this! Yet, he was still able to restrain himself and allow for Du Shi Qing to treat his father… The pressure that he bore was truly unimaginable.

Since Du Shi Qing had already done it once, how could Tie Bu Tian know that he would not attempt to do it again? “Continue.” Tie Shi Cheng’s mind was currently at its maximum excited state. “Your Majesty’s condition could not be prolonged much longer. Senior Du once mentioned that despite all his efforts, it was likely that your life could only be prolonged for another two more months… Moreover, at that time, Du Shi Qing himself would have to die.” Chu Yang said with bare honesty. “Yes, at that time, regardless of whether it would be Bu Tian or Diwu Qing Rou, he would not be spared!”

As Tie Shi Cheng said those words, Chu Yang couldn’t help but look at his opponent with great attention. This bedridden emperor had already seen through all of this a long time ago. “If the prince does not kill Du Shi Qing, he wouldn’t be able to answer to the people of Iron Cloud. However, if he does kill Du Shi Qing, the consequences would be dire. The death of Du Shi Qing would enable Diwu Qing Rou to gather an even stronger force! That force would be the culmination of Du Shi Qing’s lifetime of work as a physician!” “Exactly.” “I have information that if Your Majesty were to pass away, the timing of your funeral would be the same time where Diwu Qing Rou would initiate his grand design. It would be at that moment that Iron Cloud would be overwhelmed with chaos thus allowing his plan to have an even greater chance of success! However, even if he were to fail, it would be likely that Iron Cloud would suffer great losses.”

Tie Shi Cheng pondered for a moment and said slowly, “Yes, time is indeed against us, and the only way to deal with this is if I die early. Unfortunately… despite me telling Bu Tian multiple times, all my advice has fallen on deaf ears.” “Now that Senior Du has disappeared, and everyone has been taken by surprise. While I have been mentally prepared for this, I am still surprised.” Chu Yang said quietly, “However, even though this has occurred, I have reason to believe that as much as we might be surprised, it is likely that Diwu Qing Rou is even more surprised!” “Well said!” Tie Shi Cheng praised, “I am now completely at ease!” He paused a little and said sternly, “Bu Tian, no matter what happens in the future, you are not allowed to trouble Minister Chu regarding this matter! Minister Chu is a deep thinker with great foresight; he will absolutely be your greatest help!”

Tie Bu Tian sadly closed his eyes; a long while later, he gently nodded in reply. “After I was injured, I actually had the intention to end my own life. However, at that time, Bu Tian was still very young. I was worried about him and thus tried to prolong my life for as long as possible… However, when I wanted to die, I was unable to!” Tie Shi Cheng said with joy, “Now that Minister Chu is here, I am relieved! I have waited for this day for over three years… I am truly tired…” “I am very tired… very tired…” Tie Shi Cheng’s gaze was sorrowful as the pink glow on his face gradually disappeared. The potency of Dragon Spirit Fragrance was clearly fading.

Tie Shi Cheng continued to lay back even further as his eyes became dreamy. Within them, a trace of longing and unspeakable love showed; he muttered, “My Empress, I am coming to see you… All these years… Do not blame me…” “Lian’er, Meng’er, Qing’er…” Tie Shi Cheng murmured called out the names of his wife and daughters that he had killed with his own hands. He suddenly cried out loud and called out, “I want to die! I want to die! I want to…”

Chu Yang sighed internally. As a ruler, everyone only saw his nobility and majesty. However, who would have been aware of the kind of cruelty a ruler has to endure? The pain in the heart of this ruler, a commoner would not dare to imagine. “If there is another life…” The light in Tie Shi Cheng’s eyes grew dimmer and dimmer; he murmured: “The long road is divided in blood, the nation remains in the heart, helplessly and tearfully swung the saber, wife and daughters turned into spirits; in this life, death has divided us; in the next life, I vow to discard all wealth and not walk the cold path, be a free person of the mountains and the rivers!” “Ha ha…” Tie Shi Cheng laughed weakly and said, “Child… do not make the same mistake as me…”

His eyes suddenly emitted a brilliant light. It revealed genuine joy and happiness as though he was looking forward to seeing his beloved standing there waiting for him in the afterlife…

Then the light was abruptly extinguished…

His body was motionless as it maintained its position as before. However, the life which was within had ceased to exist.

Today, Iron Cloud Nation’s ruler, Tie Shi Cheng has passed on! “Father! Please don’t leave me!” Tie Bu Tian was filled with grief as he mourned his father’s death. His eyes were filled with tears as he rushed forward, holding Tie Shi Cheng’s frail body tightly. He desperately pressed his cheek against his father’s as though trying to transfer some of his warmth to his father…

Suddenly, Tie Shi Cheng spat out a clump of blood and his body fell to the ground. His eyes were now closed as he lost consciousness…

Chu Yang sighed. Seeing this ruler’s life end, he did not know how to feel.

He recalled the words of Tie Shi Cheng, “When I was eighteen, I ascended to the throne as emperor. In just a few years, I managed to build a powerful military! We were unmatched in power! North to south, wherever we went, all our enemies surrendered! In just five years, we had expanded Iron Cloud’s territory by at least a third! I felt ambitious as though the entire world was in the palm of my hand, the entire world was for me to unify!” “Wherever we went they all surrendered!”

How powerful and majestic? How arrogant? Looking at the pile of bones, this strong contrast pained people’s hearts.

Could it be that the greatest pain or regret in this emperor’s heart was the fact that he killed his wife and daughters with his own hands? After all, he had remembered it until now…

Why was he so cruel back then? Even on his deathbed, he still neglected to reveal the reasons for it. If it was a secret, then Tie Shi Cheng had taken it to the grave with him. “In this life, death has divided us; in the next life, I vow to discard all wealth and not walk the cold path, be a free person of the mountains and the rivers!”

He was a ruler of a nation and the words that he had spoken before he passed away were to “be a free person of the mountains and the rivers.” Many people in the world dream of having the position of an emperor and sitting on a throne. However, the one who actually sat upon it left such an emotion desire which clearly contradicted what he had been doing almost his entire life at his deathbed!

This was such an irony.

Before dying, the ruler of Iron Cloud Nation had surprisingly not called for any officials in to leave his last will. It was likely that he was assured that Tie Bu Tian would carry out his wishes. Moreover, by him not doing so, his thoughts had been made extremely clear…

Tie Bu Tian, from now on, the world will be yours!

Chu Yang quietly backed out. On the way out, no one dared to stop him. Although Chu Yang knew that Tie Bu Tian needed someone to comfort him, but that person could not Chu Yang!

Tie Bu Tian couldn’t help but hate him with his entire soul at this moment!

He had no choice but to wait until Tie Bu Tian managed to get past this difficult time.

However, Tie Shi Cheng’s death was about half a year earlier than the time that he died in the previous life. Moreover, winter was coming and the borders would be peaceful for some time.

In addition to that, given the weather, Diwu Qing Rou wouldn’t be able to do anything. In other words, the greatest threat to Iron Cloud had been dealt with and silently disappeared.

However, along the way back, Chu Yang’s heart felt heavy as though it was laden with burdens. He was not the slightest bit happy or satisfied.

Once he left the royal palace, Chu Yang was filled with worry as he suddenly sensed a cold feeling on his face. “It’s snowing! It’s snowing already…” A surprised voice called out from somewhere.

Chu Yang looked up to see the white snow which now filled the sky as snowflakes pranced all around them as though they were dropped from heaven. Within moments, heaven and earth fell into a dreamy state.

They were at the end of autumn. However, winter was not for another two days. The first snow of Iron Cloud Citadel had come unexpectedly early.

As Chu Yang walked quietly down the road, his body gradually became covered with snow. The ground itself had been covered with a white blanket of snow. The first few snow flowers quickly melted, but the later ones quickly covered any traces of them and left the area in a white shade.

The entire area was covered with snow after about an hour.

Chu Yang breathed in the icy cold air. He reflected on the events at the palace and the hardened thoughts in his mind seemed to become alive. He turned his head and looked at the majestic royal palace standing tall in the middle of the world of snow. He remained silent as if mourning the emperor that just passed.

Regardless, this world has finally entered into a new era! Chu Yang told himself. He then picked up the pace and quickly headed towards the Heavenly Armament Pavilion…

White snow fluttered in the surrounding area and Chu Yang’s mind was empty. It was as though they had been filled with the fluttering snowflakes which had disappeared in the sky.

Crunchy sounds rang out beneath his feet. Chu Yang suddenly remembered: In the previous life, Qing Wu loved the falling snow the most. Every time there was snow, she would quietly hold her umbrella and stand silently in the snow in a red outfit. This was the most beautiful piece of memory of her in Chu Yang’s mind.

Chu Yang’s heart quivered each time he reminisced about her grace.

Qing Wu, what are you doing right now?

Chu Yang’s figure finally disappeared in the falling snow…

While Tie Shi Cheng was bedridden, and the people of Iron Cloud had long been prepared for his death. However, all of Iron Cloud was in shock at the passing of Tie Shi Cheng.

At this very same time, as if by appointment, news had been sent from the border that Great Zhao’s General Dong Wu Fa had ordered three armies to mobilize and attack Iron Cloud at the same time!