Peace in the Mountains and Rivers

[Content warning below]

Sheng Chang'an met the best Xie Sui at the worst time in his life.

Xie Sui was the top-ranked candidate who passed the provincial examination first. With a fan in hand, he charmed everyone with a glance and a smile. Yet he also had a heart for all the people of the world. Even if he had to shatter every bone of his body, he would make Heaven listen!

Sheng Chang'an, meanwhile, was a laughingstock. Born into a respectable family, he was married into the illustrious Prince Wei's household as a male wife. Prince Wei spent his days drinking and chasing women, while Sheng Chang'an was mocked as "a sparrow dreaming of perching on a branch, but without a phoenix's destiny."

Almost no one knew that he had been carried into the prince's manor with broken legs. The servants, all smiles, had supported him over the threshold while his wounds were still unhealed, every bone aching in time with his heart.

They saw only the Prince Wei household's boundless riches, not the sorrowful sparrow with broken wings, coughing up blood.

Only Xie Sui asked him, "Are you at ease in your gilded cage?"

Sheng Chang'an smiled and answered, "I'll fight my way to freedom."

Later, Xie Sui donned armor and wielded his blade to sweep away the monsters, while Sheng Chang'an's sword dripped with the blood of corrupt officials.

The manor burned, making the long night as bright as day.

Amid the smoke and din of war, they embraced, and their rust-scented swords clattered to the ground.

"Freedom?"

"Freedom."

[Content warnings]

* The love interest changes. Xie Sui is the official male lead.

* The protagonist is weak at first but grows stronger.

* An original fantasy setting with a mishmash of elements.

Theme: Love and freedom