The banquet dispersed.
All the generals and ministers left in satisfaction, joy written across their faces.It was evident that after tasting the top-tier delicacies prepared with Gem Meat, everyone experienced a clear rise in cultivation and combat power—a leap in their overall strength.
And all of this came from a mere feast, without the slightest hidden cost.Such a harvest was nothing short of a divine gift.
Everyone planned to return quickly to refine and absorb their gains, solidifying them as their own foundation.
Unknowingly, only the women, Nannan, Chen Xuerou, and a few others like Jiang Ming of the Shushan Sword Sect, remained in the City Lord's residence.The rest had been properly accommodated elsewhere—matters for later.
The City Lord's Mansion could not allow too many outsiders to linger.
Now that only familiar faces remained, the women's expressions relaxed noticeably, and they finally had a chance to speak more intimately.
"Nannan, your brother has mentioned you many times over the years.Each time, his heart ached terribly,"said Gongsun Wan'er, smiling.
"You met a few times in the past, but for various reasons, he couldn't bring you home.But now, finally reunited on the Divine-Demon Battlefield, you can return to the Great Yi Dynasty and never again worry about wandering through wind and rain, living in constant danger."
From the very beginning, Wan'er had felt a strong kinship with Nannan.
Yi Tianxing had long shared stories of her at the imperial palace.Although they were separated by distance and circumstance, this reunion was something they all hoped for.
Nannan's beauty and cultivation were among the finest.Even the other women had to admit—Yi Tianxing's vision from over twenty years ago had been extraordinary.
Her cold temperament, forged in mountains of corpses and seas of blood, gave her a commanding presence, and only in front of Yi Tianxing and familiar people did she reveal her original self.
"I've heard from my husband that Nannan's real name is Wuyou (No Worries),"added Yao Yue, nodding.
"From now on, you are Princess Wuyou of the Great Yi Dynasty.The decree was made years ago. When we return, it will be publicly announced across the empire.You've suffered greatly in the outside world—From now on, we are all your family. Call us sisters or sisters-in-law as you wish."
As Cai Yan wasn't present, Yao Yue spoke on behalf of the eldest.
She, too, deeply empathized with Wuyou's pain and showed her affection openly.
"Thank you, sisters-in-law, for your kindness,"Wuyou bowed gently.
She didn't resist their affection.
What mattered to her was Yi Tianxing—and thus, his loved ones were hers, just as his enemies would be hers.
"It's settled. From now on, Wuyou stays in White Crow City—no more separations,"Yi Tianxing declared with a smile, before turning to Chen Xuerou.
"Xuerou, do you plan to stay here, or rejoin your Shushan comrades?The choice is yours. There's always a place for you in Great Yi."
Yi Tianxing left the choice entirely to her.
As someone from the same era, he treated her with a different level of respect.
"Since I've reunited with Brother Yi, and there are so many sisters here I feel close to,naturally I will stay.Besides, I'd like to contribute more to the human race.It feels like destiny meeting everyone again."
Chen Xuerou answered without hesitation, her eyes drifting unconsciously toward Yi Tianxing, a gentle, watery light within them.
The women all noticed it.They exchanged glances, some sighing, others casting white-eyed looks at Yi Tianxing, who only chuckled.
Elsewhere in the city, in a quiet residence, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei sat together, watching over a man lying on the bed—Liu Bei.
Captured by the Demon Lord of Ten Thousand Tribulations, Liu Bei had not only been imprisoned, but even his will and mind were assaulted.
Though rescued, his spirit remained deeply damaged, leaving him in a coma.
Fortunately, with the right soul-restoring elixirs, such as the Condensed Spirit Pill and the Returning Mind Pill, his condition was steadily improving.
Finally, his eyes opened.
Seeing Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, tears immediately filled Liu Bei's eyes, and he sat up crying loudly.
"Second Brother! Third Brother! I've missed you both so much!I thought I'd never see you again.Heaven must have willed our reunion!"
His tearful cries touched the heart.
There was no deception—only sincerity and overwhelming emotion, which easily softened others.
It was Liu Bei's strength—his ability to move people through genuine emotion.
"Big Brother, this time you were saved thanks to His Majesty the Emperor.Without him, even I couldn't last a single strike against the Demon Lord,"said Guan Yu, solemnly.
He made sure to highlight Yi Tianxing's role—without him, Liu Bei would be lost.
"Yes! His Majesty was instrumental.We must thank him personally,"Zhang Fei added.
His gratitude to Yi Tianxing ran deep—he had joined Great Yi when it was still weak, and had since developed unshakable loyalty.
"Naturally, I will thank the Emperor myself.A life-saving grace cannot go unacknowledged.But afterward, I hope to take both of you with me when I leave.We must personally seek permission from the Emperor."
Liu Bei nodded, though inwardly, his mind raced.
The real reason he hadn't approached White Crow City before was fear—Fear that he'd be refused or that something would go wrong.
But now that they had met, it would be impolite not to formally visit.
He only hoped Yi Tianxing had the magnanimity of a true emperor, and would allow his sworn brothers to leave with him.
As for whether Guan Yu and Zhang Fei would agree—he didn't doubt it for a second.
To him, their bond was unbreakable.
But Guan Yu and Zhang Fei exchanged troubled glances.
They knew exactly why Liu Bei had come.
But now... it was impossible to leave Great Yi.
"Big Brother, we're happy to see you again.But we can't leave with you,"Guan Yu said at last, his tone heavy.
"What?! Is it because Yi Emperor won't let you go?"Liu Bei's face darkened, his heart sinking.
He had already prepared a precious gift in exchange for their freedom.
"If that's the issue, I've brought something valuable to offer.I believe I can persuade him."
"No, Big Brother,"Guan Yu shook his head.
"The Emperor already gave us permission to leave.But we chose to stay."
"Why?!"Liu Bei looked crushed.
"Do you not want to follow me and build our shared legacy?If I've wronged you somehow—just tell me! I will change!"
He was truly anguished. His sorrow—genuine and heartfelt.
But the reality had already shifted.
Guan Yu and Zhang Fei could no longer leave.
They had pledged their loyalty to Great Yi, and more importantly, to Yi Tianxing.
To go now would be to betray both their word and their own hearts.
It would shatter their Dao hearts—a wound that could never be healed.
They had chosen their path.
And that path no longer lay with Liu Bei.