The Phoenix Returns

Seven years ago, she gave up everything to love the man she had chosen, only to receive a sword through the heart and watch her own sister die a horrible death.

Seven years later, she tells the man at her side about the past as if recounting a story. He gently strokes her hair and says softly, “It’s all right. You were young then, and naturally knew little of the ways of the world.” Then he smiles and asks, “So what do you want now? Revenge?”

She seems to find the question amusing, and covers her lips as she laughs quietly. “What I want is something you could never give me. Haven’t you heard what people are saying? The realm is now divided into four, and with the Domain added, there are five powers vying for control. Yet Emperor Renzong seems rather timid, the Red Emperor is far too cruel, and no one has seen the Domain Lord’s face. Only Xuanyuan Zi and Emperor Qian still enjoy a good reputation. The situation is unclear, so very unclear!” She imitates a storyteller as she delivers these words, then suddenly turns and throws herself into the arms of the man beside her.

“Xuanji, whether you become Emperor Qian or someone else in the future, don’t ever hurt me.”

The man wraps his arms tightly around her, smiling warmly. His voice is gentle. “All right. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to bear the revenge of the Domain Lord, whose influence reaches across all four kingdoms...”