Cen Qing loved the feeling of soaring above the earth.

When Wu Ying asked him whether he preferred the giant owl or the worg, he chose the former without hesitation.

After the words left his mouth, he paused for a moment, reached out to grasp Wu Ying’s wrist, slid his fingers into the palm of his hand, and said with a smile, “Your Majesty, may I have both?”

He suddenly realized this wasn’t a multiple-choice question. Why couldn’t he have both?

“Of course.” Wu Ying wrapped her arm around his waist, stepped down the stairs, and led him onto the giant owl’s back. “But since we’re short on time today, we can go to the Ice Cliffs first.”

“The Ice Cliffs?”

“The giant owls’ habitat—that’s where all giant owls are born, grow up, and die.” Wu Ying lifted her gold-woven cloak and wrapped it tightly around Cen Qing. The giant owl immediately spread its wings, whipping up a gale in the courtyard, and soared into the sky in the blink of an eye.

The two set out alone, without any guards.

The palace shrank beneath their feet as the entire city unfolded like a painting—streets, houses, towers, and city walls. Cen Qing gazed in fascination, unable to help but let out a gasp of wonder.

“If you want to own a giant owl, you must tame it yourself.” Wu Ying tightened his arms around her, his voice ringing out above Cen Qing’s head, drawing her attention back. “A wild and untamed bird of prey—if you can’t win its wholehearted loyalty, it will cause trouble later on.”

“I see.” Cen Qing relaxed and nestled into Wu Ying’s embrace, placing his palm over the arm resting on his waist. His fingers traced the pattern on the sleeve and gently brushed the back of Wu Ying’s hand. “Your Majesty, would you be willing to share your experience?”

He tilted his head back, his jet-black eyes fixed on Wu Ying.

His pupils were jet-black and bottomless, capable of drawing one’s soul in. As long as he was willing, no one could escape.

“As long as you need it.” Allowing Cen Qing to hold his hand, Wu Ying lowered his head, gently brushed his nose, and then kissed his lips. “I will grant all your wishes.”

The giant owl spread its wings and soared, flying toward the icy cliff where it nested, with the slowly moving sun as its backdrop. The cliff stood a hundred zhang high, towering majestically between heaven and earth, with clouds swirling around its summit.

On sunny days, rainbows would appear within the clouds, their arcs spanning the sky—a truly spectacular sight. The ice cliff was not a natural formation, but rather the remains of the Ice Giants.

This was once an ancient battlefield of the Wraiths, where the last of the Ancient Ice Giants fell. Their souls perished, and their bodies transformed into steep, icy cliffs, standing eternally on the ice plain, bearing witness to their people’s former glory.

The giant owl is a proud bird of prey.

They carve out nests in the ice cliffs and lay their eggs within the cavities. Each pair mates for life; if one partner dies, the other raises the chicks alone and spends the rest of its life guarding the nest.

Giant owl chicks are born with flight feathers.

By two months of age, they can leave the nest and fly, hunting small prey on their own. However, it takes about another half a year for them to grow to the size of their parents and become fully independent.

Winter is not the breeding season for the giant owls, but rather the time when the previous brood of chicks reaches maturity. At this time of year, when selecting a partner. Cen Qing would have many options.

A snow-white giant owl soared toward the icy cliff. Cen Qing gazed down from high above and could vaguely make out several giants standing on the ground. As the distance closed, the view grew clearer.

They stood back-to-back, their ice-carved bodies still imposing. Their features were clearly discernible; their deep-set eyes stared straight ahead, as if they might come to life at any moment, letting out a mighty roar to proclaim their existence to all creation.

“Ancient Ice Giants,” said Wu Ying, lifting his hood and signaling the giant owl to descend, while explaining to Cen Qing, “They once battled the Wraiths for control of the Snow Domain, but were defeated in the final battle.”

The struggle for the Snow Domain was incredibly brutal.

The victor claimed everything; the defeated sank into the embrace of death, eventually forgotten by the passage of time. Cen Qing asked no further questions.

He had read about some of this in books, but the accounts were very vague.

Written accounts were, after all, not specific enough; it was only upon witnessing the remains of these ice giants with his own eyes that he realized just how brutal the war in the Snow Domain had been. And just how terrifying the Wraiths’ power must be to rule over this vast territory.

As the giant owl appeared with the two of them, screeching sounds immediately echoed from the ice cliffs. Thousands of giant owls flapped their wings and took flight, whipping up a gale.

Remnants of snow and shards of ice swirled in the wind, spiraling upward like a tornado, its peak piercing the sky.

“Look closely and choose one—it will be yours.” Wu Ying pressed his hand on Cen Qing’s shoulder, leaned close to his ear, and pointed ahead with his left hand—a flock of newly matured birds of prey. They were beginning to display their parents’ ferocity; their beaks had not yet fully lost their juvenile coloring, and their eyes were quick and alert, giving them a somewhat mischievous look.

Cen Qing observed them closely and noticed that the giant owls had different plumage colors.

Most had gray-white or black-and-white base colors, with pure white being extremely rare. No matter which one, they all looked beautiful—and quite untamed. Taming them would not be easy.

“Your Majesty, what should I do?” Cen Qing did not seem in a hurry to act. He pulled Wu Ying’s cloak tighter around himself as he sought his advice.

“Use force,” Wu Ying replied crisply and decisively, and the method was simple: “Climb onto their backs and fly with them until they’re exhausted. Just be careful not to get thrown off along the way.”

A cool fingertip brushed against Cen Qing’s chin, gently pressing against his lower lip, as the voice drew closer: “Each giant owl has different stamina, so it’s uncertain how long you’ll have to endure. Some can last a few hours; others may go on all day.”

Cen Qing listened intently, not the least bit intimidated.

A fighting spirit flared in his dark eyes; he clasped his hands together, pressing his fingers alternately, and grew eager to try.

“I plan to give it a try.” He stepped out of Wu Ying’s embrace, then suddenly stopped and turned back to look at him. “If I get thrown off, you’ll catch me, won’t you, my dear husband?”

At those words, Wu Ying’s eyes flashed slightly. He abruptly pulled Cen Qing back, clasping him against his chest with one arm, then lowered his head to bite his neck.

“I’ve changed my mind.”

“What?”

“I’m going to take you back to the palace, lock you in my bedchamber, chain you with locks forged from secret gold, and make sure you can never leave again.”

Each sentence was accompanied by a kiss.

As the cool breath fell upon his neck and the jewel-encrusted collar clasp was bitten, Cen Qing had no choice but to grab Wu Ying’s hair, trying to make him stop.

“Your Majesty, I’d be more than happy to go to your bedchamber. But you said you’d grant my request.” 

“I did say that.”

Wu Ying raised his eyes to meet his, biting down on the finger resting on his lips, his teeth gently grinding against it, leaving a faint toothmark: “But I can change my mind.”

His expression was serious; he didn’t seem to be joking.

Cen Qing opened his mouth, just as he was considering how to respond, when several giant owls flew in from the direction of the Royal Capital. The Wraiths on the birds’ backs clearly had urgent business; upon spotting the snow-white giant owls, they immediately sped up to meet them. “Your Majesty, an anomaly has been detected in the Wasteland Realm.”

“An anomaly?”

“The forest rangers have reported that a herd of beasts is gathering—larger than ever before. Strange sounds are coming from the forest; we cannot yet determine their source, but the worgs are very restless.”

From a distance, Fran’s voice came through clearly.

Wu Ying lowered his gaze, took Cen Qing’s right hand, and lightly brushed his lips against his fingertips: “I’m sorry, but we’ll have to reschedule our meeting.” 

“It’s all right, Your Majesty.” Cen Qing clasped Wu Ying’s wrist in return and smiled gently, “There will be plenty of other opportunities in the future.”

The upheaval in the Wasteland Realm could not be ignored.

The group immediately changed course, leaving the Ice Cliffs and returning to the Royal Capital.

During the flight, the Wraiths sensed something amiss. Looking back, they saw a young, newly-matured giant owl following behind the group, flapping its wings tenaciously and somehow keeping pace with them.

“What’s going on?” Fran asked in surprise.

Cen Qing also looked back and got a clear look at the giant owl. It had black flight feathers and a snow-white belly.

The edges of its wings were dotted with white spots shaped like scattered petals, making it look absolutely beautiful.

“It seems to want to follow you,” Wu Ying said, looking at the giant owl as he gently pinched Cen Qing’s chin and smiled. “My beauty, you seem to be a little too charming.”

Cen Qing found it hard to believe.

As he tentatively reached out his hand, the giant owl actually drew closer and hooted at him. The sound wasn’t exactly melodious, but for a bird of prey, it was doing its best.

“Why?” Cen Qing asked, puzzled.

“There’s something about you that attracts it.” Wu Ying took Cen Qing’s hand, his fingers sliding between Cen Qing’s and naturally interlocking with them. Then, lifting his hand, he gently kissed the back of his hand. “Do you want it? It doesn’t look very strong.”

Compared to other young birds of the same age, its size was only average.

Its strengths lie in its tenacity; it’s capable of long-distance flight and has decent speed as well. After a moment’s consideration, Cen Qing decided to keep it.

“If it’s willing to follow me, I’d like to keep it,” Cen Qing said.

“All right.” Wu Ying grasped Cen Qing’s arm where she wore the ring bracelet; a beam of light shot out from the bracelet, transforming into runes mid-air, all of which were imprinted into the giant owl

“Now, it’s yours,” Wu Ying said.

Cen Qing turned the bracelet; the icy sensation had not yet faded, yet it caused him no harm.

“Your Majesty, this isn’t just an ordinary bracelet, is it?” he asked.

“My hair was woven into it when it was crafted,” Wu Ying said, guiding Cen Qing’s hand so he could sense her power. “We are now united. My power will protect you. Even when I am not by your side, no one will be able to harm you.”

He was putting his promise into action.

This golden rose belonged to him; he would cherish it tenderly, not allowing anyone to touch it, much less harm it. His possessiveness bordered on the sinister.

Cen Qing, however, did not resent it in the least, nor did he feel afraid. On the contrary, he even rather liked it.

“Your Majesty, I am delighted.” He took a strand of silver hair between his fingers, brought it to his lips, and kissed it gently. Then he leaned close to Wu Ying’s ear and whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear, “Tonight, I hope you’ll come to my bedroom.”

Wu Ying smiled.

He cupped Cen Qing’s nape, pulled his cloak over them both, and kissed him deeply on the lips.

“I can’t wait for night to fall, my Queen.”

Fran and the others rode their giant owls to put some distance between them, doing their best to ignore the Snow Domain Monarch’s capriciousness.

His Majesty and the Queen were inseparable—far better than if he were to unleash a bloodbath out of boredom or become world-weary. In fact, compared to the monarch of the Demon Realm, their King could already be considered emotionally stable.

“The anomalies in the Wasteland Realm are bound to attract the Demon Clan.” 

“We can’t be sure yet.”

“We must always prepare for the worst.”

“The war that was postponed for ten years may be about to begin again.”

Amid their conversation, the giant owl flew back to Storm City, passing through the city and heading straight for the royal palace.

At that moment, Penorte was leading Buyete through the Wasteland Forest, racing toward the wasteland ruled by the Wraith King. Behind him, the scattered remnants of his army and the pursuing vampire clan forces were still locked in battle.

Gorod had issued an order for total annihilation; the Royal Capital Legion had mobilized in full force and would spare no target.

The nobles needed to restore their reputations; the knights craved military glory and wealth; and the retainer troops and slaves plundered the spoils with all their might, occasionally stashing away a piece or two without anyone noticing.

Everyone was rushing about on the battlefield, driven by their own desires, bustling back and forth without ceasing.

Inside the borderlands fortress, the Royal Capital Knights were conducting a thorough search.

They tracked down the dead borderlands nobles, cut off their heads, and ripped out their hearts to ensure there was not a shred of life left in them. The bodies of the borderlands knights were also gathered together.

A recorder checked against a list, crossing off each name as they were identified to ensure no one slipped through the cracks. Several knights’ commanders took turns resting, each leading a squad into the fortress.

Witnessing this scene, their expressions varied.

A red-brown-haired nobleman removed his helmet, scanned the utterly ruined stronghold, stepped on a dented iron helmet, and said with contempt, “Borderlands nobles, guardians of the North—that’s all they are.”

“Enough, Field!” another man snapped, cutting him off. “You know full well how we achieved this victory. Show respect for the dead; don’t insult them carelessly—that’s nothing to be proud of.”

“Righteous Pai, how noble of you. Compared to you, we’ve all become despicable scoundrels,” Field said sarcastically, sizing him up from head to toe with a menacing look. “As far as I know, your wife comes from a family from the borderlands. How much loyalty to His Majesty the King can you possibly retain while hiding under your wife’s skirt?”

“Are you insulting me?!” Pai was beside himself with rage and drew his sword on the spot. The icy tip of the blade pressed against Field’s throat; he would have slashed without hesitation. “You filthy hyena, if I hear you speak disrespectfully of my wife one more time, I’ll kill you—I swear it!”

Field’s face turned ashen. He tried to draw his sword to strike back, but the men on either side pinned his shoulders and arms down.

“You?” Unable to move his arms, his face etched with disbelief, he shouted, “You’re going to help him too? Do you sympathize with these traitors from the borderlands?!”

“Don’t try to make a fuss, Field. You know exactly why we’re doing this.”

The knights’ captains wore iron masks, so their expressions were hidden; Field could only judge from their eyes and tone that they were not on his side.

A chill ran through Field’s heart, and he gritted his teeth. “Don’t forget His Majesty’s decree!”

“We haven’t forgotten,” one of the knights-commander said, tightening the grip of his large hand on Field’s shoulder so hard it nearly crushed his bones. “But, Field, you are a knight. You should remember this: a valiant soul must not be dishonored.”

Field scoffed at this, pointing at the corpses on the ground. “When they were isolated and helpless, you turned a blind eye just the same. Who exactly is putting on a show here?”

The knight captain said nothing more, his grip tightening even further; his silence spoke volumes.

“Fine!”

Outnumbered, Field gritted his teeth and accepted his defeat, shaking the hand off his shoulder with all his might.

“To all you upstanding gentlemen, I trust you will receive your just reward.”

Speaking these words with a grim expression, he ordered his men to lead his warhorse over. He stepped into the stirrups and mounted, looking down on the group from above. He snorted coldly through his nostrils, then spurred his horse and rode off.

While the argument raged, the recorder paused his pen, and the surrounding retainers and slaves dared not even breathe, for fear of incurring the wrath of these noble lords.

It wasn’t until Field had left that the stagnant air began to move again.

“Go back to what you were doing.”

The knights’ commanders waved their hands, having lost the desire to speak. They did not linger long; after quickly restocking their supplies, they each mounted their horses and rode off. As the knights departed, the fortress once again became desolate.

Chaos, gloom, and bloodstains everywhere.

This scene was like a prophecy, heralding the downfall of Gorod’s tyranny.

A hollow victory, restless hearts, and a fractured situation—one day, it would all come crashing down.