Heaven-Ordained Phoenix: Yan Ge

Look, across that map of beacon fires stretching ten thousand miles, the border of the Great Yuan Kingdom of Northern Yan runs along the river. On one side, the mountains and rivers shine with beauty, grass grows lush and orioles flit through the air. Tender green branches twist together, waiting for April to carpet the land in blossoms and illuminate the remote imperial city. On the other side, all that remains are scars and broken limbs, as if the heavens themselves were pressing down from above. The bells of destruction boom over the people again and again, like the work of demons. And on my very first day here, I was persecuted. Believe me, one day I, Chu Hongyan, will personally light the beacon tower atop the border fortress.

Opening note.

I had barely arrived in this strange world before I was caught in a melodramatic disaster worthy of thunderbolts and wildfire. My former lover had become someone else’s kept man, and he and his mistress joined forces to drive me to my death, even though I was not yet married and was all but his lawful wife.

The two people sitting tall on white horses looked down at me with coldness, scorn, contempt, and murderous intent.

When a modern-day female agent is ambushed without mercy, trampled by horses, and left on a sheer cliff, what will she do?

“Believe me, one day I’ll plant my feet all over that haughty face of yours.”

A woman’s revenge can wait ten years!

I look back on that dazzling first glimpse of you, and see you amid the bamboo, your blood-red robes flowing like gauze, as alluring as blood, your radiance outshining the sunset.

“Hongyan, if you take my hand now, I will never let go for the rest of my life.”

Who said he would never let go, only to do so? In the end, he was the one who couldn’t.

In the lotus pond, droplets scattered, speckling the earth and startling a rainbow’s reflection. Someone came from afar, clad in a jeweled brocade robe, long hair flowing like satin.

“All my life, I’ve always looked far ahead, into the deepest ravines. I’ve seen greedy, vile hearts amid raging flames, and ruthless, sinister schemes through the mist. I’m a stubborn person, yet I only ever cared to look at what was right in front of me. I never imagined I would meet you. Now, when I think of it, I’m so happy. So very happy.”

Chu Hongyan: In this life, I have never regretted meeting anyone, because each person was a wonder Heaven brought into my life.

The throne is fought over, and blood fills the hall, stirring up dust. If you’ve already splashed me with your blood, why not make a clean sweep of it? How about soaking my white robes and pale face in your heart’s blood?

Schemes and plots: If you come gliding in on a crane, leaving me reeking of trouble, why not make a clean sweep of it? I’ll clip your wings and leave you running around naked. How does that sound?

Love that defies life and death: If one glance back at your dazzling figure stirs my heart, why not make a clean sweep of it? Strip down, wash up, dry off, and perfume yourself. How about letting me have you?

[The following snippets aren’t here for laughs, but for heartfelt moments.]

“Hongyan.”

“Mm.”

“Have you eaten?”

“Mm.”

“Have you washed?”

“Mm.”

“Are you in bed?”

“Mm.”

“Then can I come in and sleep with you?”

“…”

That’s what they mean when they say that meeting Feichen ruins you for life.

“Hongyan.”

“Mm.”

“If revenge really means that much to you, so much that you’d abandon yourself and me, then go find that bastard and kill him. If you can’t beat him, I’ll help you.”

Chu Hongyan: “…”