“Three years ago, the Imperial Astrology Bureau predicted a catastrophe that would bring ruin to the Great Yan Empire!”
Once seated, Flame Phoenix got straight to the point and began recounting the events of the past.
“At that time, disasters plagued the empire one after another—clear signs of misfortune.”
“And the predictions of the Astrology Bureau… are all coming true.”
“According to their calculations, the reason the nation’s fortune was declining, and calamities kept occurring, was because Princess Ximeng’s destiny had stolen the empire’s fate.”
The moment Flame Phoenix, the War God, spoke those words, even Su Chen turned to glance at her.
For one person’s destiny to overpower an entire empire’s fate—it showed just how heaven-defying Ruo Ximeng’s fortune truly was.
“That’s just your one-sided claim,” Su Chen replied.
“Besides, even if it’s true, so what?”
“Disasters, life and death—these are simply the natural order of the heavens.”
“In the grand scheme of fate, everything is preordained. If Ximeng alone has inherited the empire’s destiny, then with her unmatched potential, she may be the very one to hold up the collapsing nation and reverse its decline.”
Su Chen’s voice rang out, powerful and unwavering.
Even Flame Phoenix, known for her eloquence and foresight, was briefly silenced.
“What you said… might be true, or it might not,” she finally responded.
“But after Princess Ximeng’s Sacred Bone was extracted and her fortune shattered, the Emperor received Heaven’s Mandate. Since then, the Great Yan Empire has flourished. That is the undeniable truth.”
Facts always speak louder than words.
That principle holds true across all times and places.
“Heh…”
Su Chen let out a cold laugh.
The empire’s current state was the result of the Emperor’s mistake.
Had he passed the throne to Ruo Ximeng instead, things would’ve turned out entirely differently.
With her unparalleled talent, she would have reshaped the empire’s fate.
Su Chen knew it.
Flame Phoenix knew it too.
But back then, the Great Yan Empire couldn’t afford to gamble—not with its very destiny.
So, they chose to sacrifice Ruo Ximeng.
“I’ve examined Ximeng’s body,” Su Chen said.
“Her Sacred Bone was extracted, and her Sacred Veins ripped out. By all rights, she should’ve died. But someone stepped in—exerting immense effort to protect her heart and keep her alive.”
“And that person… was you, wasn’t it?”
Though Su Chen didn’t like Flame Phoenix, he couldn’t deny it.
Without her intervention, Ruo Ximeng would’ve died long ago.
At his words, Flame Phoenix fell silent.
She had indeed done it—but had never intended to seek credit.
And yet, that only made Su Chen more confused.
“You went to such lengths to preserve her life for three years. Why didn’t you stop it from happening in the first place?”
“With your status and strength, you could’ve prevented all of this!”
Whether Ruo Ximeng could still cultivate or not didn’t matter much to Su Chen.
But what she had suffered—it stirred both sorrow and rage within him.
“I…”
“I am the War God of Great Yan, a symbol of the empire. Even if I have personal feelings, I cannot overturn decisions for selfish reasons.”
“The lives of all under heaven cannot be weighed against the fate of one person.”
“Besides, I was merely a general, not someone who could make the final decision.”
Flame Phoenix sighed softly, her long phoenix-like eyes fixed on Ruo Ximeng.
Back then, the one who truly made the decision wasn’t herself, nor the Emperor.
It was Ruo Ximeng.
With that act, she repaid the debt of being raised by the royal family in one stroke.
From that day on, the Princess of Great Yan ceased to exist.
Flame Phoenix’s beautiful eyes dimmed with sorrow.
Her position demanded that she protect the people—not just a single princess.
But the price Ruo Ximeng had paid… was simply too high.
“Heh. Foolish, blindly loyal woman!”
Su Chen paused for a moment, then stood up and left with a flick of his sleeve, leaving behind only one sentence:
“I’m off.”
Seeing Yanhuang somewhat dazed and distracted, the kind and pure Ruo Ximeng quickly stepped in to comfort her.
“Big Sister Yanhuang, Master is actually a really good person. He’s just too worried about me, that’s all.”
“I’m fine now,” Yanhuang said, gently patting Ruo Ximeng’s little head with affection.
“Come on, let’s head to the kitchen. I’ll personally make you a delicious meal!”
***
When Su Chen was called back to the reception hall by his adorable little disciple, Ruo Ximeng, the jade table was already set with several delicate side dishes and a jug of fine wine.
As Su Chen sat down, still a little confused by the situation, Yanhuang—who had been busy in the kitchen for quite a while—walked in carrying four more hearty dishes.
After their earlier conversation and considering how Yanhuang had taken care of Ruo Ximeng over the past three years, Su Chen’s attitude had softened.
While he still wasn’t exactly warm, most of his anger toward her had dissipated.
“Young Master Su,” Yanhuang said, raising her cup with a gentle smile, “I offer you this drink as an apology—for my earlier disrespect outside the national treasury.”
“There’s no need for that,” Su Chen replied with a shrug.
“I’m the one who hurt you back then.”
If this woman had continued to act tough, Su Chen wouldn’t have cared in the slightest.
But now she was offering wine in apology, even personally cooking a meal for him…
As the saying goes, one doesn’t strike a smiling face.
Even the mighty general of Dayan, Yanhuang, was treating him like this.
He couldn’t keep acting hostile.
He wouldn’t say they had reconciled, but at least he no longer found her so irritating.
***
“Hmm?”
The moment Su Chen picked up a piece of food and took a bite, his expression changed drastically.
‘What kind of god-tier cuisine is this?!’
He had spent quite some time in the capital of Dayan, sampling dishes from all the top imperial chefs.
He’d once thought their cooking truly lived up to their reputation—absolutely delicious.
But now, comparing them to Yanhuang’s dishes, those so-called master chefs paled in comparison.
Their gourmet meals now seemed utterly bland!
Cough, cough!
“Yanhuang, why don’t you just stay here at Ximeng Residence and become the chef for me and Ximeng?”
Su Chen looked genuinely tempted and made a serious effort to recruit her.
With skills like hers, being a war goddess was simply a waste of talent!
Yes, in Su Chen’s eyes, the military genius of Dayan was nowhere near as valuable as a personal chef for him and Ruo Ximeng.
“This…”
For a moment, Yanhuang stared at Su Chen as if seeing him for the first time.
A strange expression appeared on her stunning face.
‘So it’s true—if you want to win a man over, start with his stomach.’
Su Chen was a peerless powerhouse of this generation.
Staying by his side would no doubt benefit her cultivation immensely.
Unfortunately, the Dayan Dynasty still needed her as its military leader.
With a slight trace of regret, Yanhuang shook her head.
“When the Dayan Dynasty enjoys peace and prosperity—when it no longer needs a war god—I may just follow you, Young Master Su.”
With those words, she raised her cup and drained it.
Yanhuang was already beautiful, but her elegant presence made even the act of drinking wine look like a work of art.
“Peace and prosperity doesn’t rely on just one person,” Su Chen said flatly.
“You’re meddling too much.”
“And if I don’t? How can I be sure someone else will step up?”
“Boring.”
“Perhaps when my little disciple ascends the throne a year from now, she’ll be able to fulfill your wish.”
Su Chen spoke with absolute confidence, every word carrying the weight of certainty.
Seeing how calm and assured he looked, Ruo Ximeng’s admiration for her master deepened.
To her, if Master said something, it was as good as done.
“Then I’ll look forward to it.”
Unlike Ruo Ximeng, who trusted Su Chen wholeheartedly, the War Goddess of Dayan—was still burdened with worries for the vast empire.
After all, the late emperor’s decision three years ago had been nothing more than drinking poison to quench his thirst—putting out a fire with fuel.