War's Smoke Never Reaches the Bone

[Political intrigue | Equally matched leads | Opposing sides | Willing to die for love]

A scheming enemy crown prince x a proud, sincere general of Anhong

* Chu Lingheng (Shen Yanyun) vs. Shangguan Heran

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The day the city fell, its people were plunged into disaster.

Shen Yanyun pointed his sword at Shangguan Heran's chest. His gaze was resolute, with a gleam in his eyes, yet the friend who had "betrayed" him was still reflected in his pupils.

The red sun was swallowed by rolling clouds. In the distance, the east wind scattered the beacon smoke in every direction. Corpses covered the battlefield.

Facing him from the opposing side, he stared fixedly at Shen Yanyun, then turned his eyes away for an instant.

He gripped the blade. Just as Shen Yanyun thought he was about to snatch the sword, Shangguan Heran turned its point toward his own heart and said softly, "This is the most vital spot."

He gave Shen Yanyun no time to hesitate. A few seconds later, as he pulled the sword, he leaned forward, driving the blade straight into his heart. Pain instantly numbed his whole body.

Shen Yanyun's eyes widened in shock. The hand gripping the sword trembled, and his heart seemed ready to leap out of his chest.

"Shen Yanyun, I've repaid the shame of losing my country that I owed you, but... what about the love you owe me?"

"I wish you a life in which you never meet anyone like me again."

At last, that smile, bright as the red sun, slowly faded.

Before reading:

1. Chu is the shou and Shangguan is the gong. Both are sexually inexperienced!!

2. The writing isn't great. This is an alternate history and shouldn't be used as a reference. Please skip it if that bothers you.

3. Main story + two bonus chapters + parallel modern timeline

Theme: Love won't make you let go of hatred. It will make you willing to die.