Death… and me

"I generally do not enjoy being led by the nose by someone else. However, in this situation, I do not seem to have any other choice other than to act according to Senior Chu's plans. Although I feel like I am on the losing end, it is still somewhat bearable. Senior Chu has made such a strategic move. Moreover, you managed to make a name for yourself in such a short time with almost nothing other than your wit! In addition, your tactics stated clearly that Senior Chu would not be anyone's subject. You really have left me without any choice but to collaborate with you on our nation's military matters!"

Tie Bu Tian gave a reluctant smile. "Senior Chu was able to create such an opportunity alone. This no doubt requires a certain level of intellect, precise planning and a seasoned grasp of the entire situation. You are certainly worthy of my respect and utmost admiration! Senior Chu, you are no doubt extremely talented."

Chu Yang squinted and laughed, "Such generous praise, I am always happy to receive your compliments."

The negotiation period was now over and Tie Bu Tian had conceded. Therefore, Chu Yang was trying to create a more light-hearted atmosphere.

Chu Yang's comment caught Tie Bu Tian by surprise. He was not able to hold back his laughter. And in an attempt to mask his laugh, he wiped the edge of his mouth, covering it and smiled. "Senior Chu is really hilarious."

At this moment, Chu Yang shivered. He had almost wanted to run away!

The prince…! What prince? Can a woman be called a prince? He seemed more like a princess!

Although Tie Bu Tian was clearly a man, he acted slightly femininely. The smile and those eyes were simply much more suited for a lady… Chu Yang's eyes widened and the edge of his mouth twitched.

Oh heavens…!

You allow me to fight fate and go against history… But now you want me to collaborate with this feminine guy?

Chu Yang felt shivers run down his spine. He thought to himself… No wonder he cultivated the Icy Heart Jade Bone Saintly Technique. If such a feminine guy like him had not cultivated it, it would certainly be a waste…

After Tie Bu Tian was done pretending to wipe his mouth and returned to his natural self, giving off a slightly imposing aura, Chu Yang felt goosebumps on his skin. He felt as though his whole world was spinning.

"Senior Chu? Senior Chu?" Tie Bu Tian was concerned when he saw Chu Yang dazed.

"Uh… well…" Chu Yang had returned to his senses. Sweat began to drip down his forehead… The thought of having to collaborate with him for at least 2 more years made Chu Yang uncomfortable. Suddenly, he felt as though his future would be filled with hardship and tragedies…

"Senior Chu, looking at the current condition of Iron Cloud Nation, if Senior Chu was given free reign, where would you begin?" Tie Bu Tian smiled as he asked sincerely. He was pretending to remain ignorant of Chu Yang's sudden change in mood.

"Hmmm… please give me a moment to think about it." Chu Yang said as he placed one head on his forehead, pretending to be deep in thought. However, he actually already knew what he was going to respond to that question. He was just slightly shaken by the Prince's mannerisms and needed some time to regain his composure.

"If you want to eliminate the foreign invasion, deal with the internal strife." Chu Yang said as he placed all his effort into trying to activate the Nine Tribulations Transcending the Nine Heavens Technique to suppress some of the thoughts he was experiencing.

If you want to eliminate the foreign invasion, you need to first deal with internal pacification…

Tie Bu Tian felt a weird sense of deja vu, and he wondered why those words that Chu Yang had said sounded so familiar. The first time he heard these words, there was a great change in the royal court. The second time, three million soldiers became dried bones in the battlefield… The third time he heard them was when the royal court was convening. At that time, Royal Uncle Tie Long Cheng raised his saber and sorted out the officials all at once, creating a river of blood!

Today, Chu Yang came here, and his first priority was these words.

Could there be another upcoming period of turmoil or extensive change?

"Yes, that is right." Tie Bu Tian smiled and said, "But the problem is… although the foreign invasion is a problem that can be seen, the problem of internal turmoil is hidden."

"They just need to be screened." Chu Yang smiled confidently.

"What if I gave Senior Chu complete control over this process?" Tie Bu Tian smiled as he formally submitted a collaboration request.

"That is still insufficient!" Chu Yang said, shaking his head.

"It's still not enough?"

"I hear that Your Highness created a Bu Tian Pavilion?" Chu Yang asked casually, "If we are to collaborate, we should trust each other. I want Bu Tian Pavilion!"

Tie Bu Tian looked at him coldly. His cold gaze continued for a while as he remained motionless.

After a long time, Tie Bu Tian finally stood up. Clasping his hands behind his back, he strolled towards the pavilion's railing. His eyes followed the reflective water in the afternoon light. A gentle wind blew, gliding over the lake, causing his white robe to flutter in the wind.

"Before I was eleven, I was an innocent child and did not know much. I was loved by my father and mother. Even my 6 elder sisters treated me exceedingly well, almost like a treasure. At that time, I was carefree and was able to enjoy the beauties of this world." Tie Bu Tian said with his back facing Chu Yang. His eyes were beginning to become hazy and a little watery but his voice remained as calm as before.

"My father was sad when I was born. He even went to extent that he banned all talks about my birth. Back then, I did not understand the reasons behind his actions."

"One year, father put on his golden armor and went to war! Before my eyes, he appeared like an invincible being almost like a god. However, in less than half a year, my world crumbled. My father was carried back home, fighting for his life."

"However, when my mother came to care for him, there was a sudden wave of anger that took over him. This wave of emotion caused him to single-handedly kill his beloved wife." Upon finishing his sentence, two streams of tears began to roll down Tie Bu Tian's cheeks.

Chu Yang looked up in surprise. He was startled by what he just heard. Why did this emperor of Iron Cloud Nation kill his wife?

"It was after that that father became lucid. However, he ordered all six of my sisters along with their families to be killed. He then followed to withdraw Second Uncle and all of his troops from the battlefield back to attack the palace and kill everyone! On that very day, within the imperial city, many lives were lost. Everyone had thought that Second Uncle was attempting to usurp the throne; however, it was not till much later that we realised this was not the case."

"After that, father held my hand and said these words before falling into a coma." Tie Bu Tian stood upright but his voice was trembling. He continued with a firm voice but Chu Yang could sense the pain within, "From now on, you will be Tie Bu Tian! The sky of the Iron Cloud Nation may have collapsed but I hope you will be able to restore it. Always remember that in order to rule a nation, you need be able to be cruel. If you have the cruelty to kill your enemies, you must also have the same cruelty to kill yourself!"

"After he finished, Father held Second Uncle's hand and said, "I am entrusting him to you." with that Father became unconscious…"

Chu Yang frowned and thought: This story of Tie Bu Tian has so many vague and mysterious things. However, one thing that we know for sure is that when the emperor killed his wife and his daughters, his mind was clear! But why did he do so?

Chu Yang couldn't help shake the feeling that there was a secret which was hidden within this story!

Tie Bu Tian took a deep breath before he continued, "I hate father; I really hate him for killing my family! Second Uncle was very strict with me. He had announced to everyone that I was the Prince of Iron Cloud and that when I become of age, I would be Iron Cloud's ruler. From that day on, Second Uncle invited countless of masters everyday to teach me different things. There were at least 10 masters who were waiting to see me each day. Moreover, I was only allowed to sleep for an hour. Even during meal times, there would always be someone in front of me teaching. Second Uncle would give me a beating every time I slacked off a little . At that time, out of 365 days, there were at least 300 days where I was badly bruised. It seemed as though Second Uncle's strictness toward me surpassed that of the most difficult teacher in the world!"

Tie Bu Tian said lightly, "I went to see father often. Even though he had moments where he was awake, he would insist on killing himself at those times. And after he was prevented from doing so, he would quietly cry… Year after year, he would hold on to my mother and sisters' name plaques with tears running down his face. He usually cried until he became unconscious. His body also grew weaker day by day…"