Chapter 14

Chapter 14

There had long been signs that Zhou Ke would rebel.

Ever since his return from the battlefield, he had opposed Cui Yan at every turn. Regardless of right or wrong, he would find a way to argue and mock him.

Chancellor Cui did not bother to bicker with him.

Instead, Zhou Ke only became more aggressive.

Che’er often found it unbearable and wanted to punish him, but Chancellor Cui always smoothed things over.

He said that Zhou Ke was good general material, but his temper was too impulsive and needed to be tempered.

I told Che’er that the old man must have grown soft-hearted with age. Back in his youth, a man like Zhou Ke wouldn’t have lasted long; the Chancellor would have cut down ten men like him without so much as blinking.

Che’er fell into thought for a moment. “It is hard to imagine the Chancellor as such a decisive and ruthless man.”

I enthusiastically told him many stories from our younger days, including tales of the elegant, dashing Cui Yan and his many romantic entanglements.

As I spoke, I suddenly noticed the world outside had turned pitch black. It was strange; only a moment ago, the sun had been high and bright.

Has time passed so quickly?

With that thought, I couldn’t help but ask aloud.

“Why has it suddenly turned dark?”

Hearing my voice, Che’er’s whole body jolted. It took him a long while to slowly speak.

“Father, have you felt anything unusual lately?”

I shook my head. “Has something happened?”

Che’er sat on the dragon throne, his gaze deep and inscrutable.

“Father, what time do you think it is?”

“I remember it was about the first quarter of the Hour of the Sheep when we were talking. The sun was bright, but I don’t know what happened. How did it get dark so suddenly…”

Che’er’s breath hitched, his voice trembling slightly. “Father, it is now the Hour of the Pig.”

I was stunned.

“The Hour of the Pig on the following day.”

“Father, you were gone for an entire day.”

Che’er was a very clever child.

He quickly summoned the High Shaman.

The more the soul is stripped away, the more my consciousness will drift and flicker until it finally vanishes completely.

This was an inevitable process.

“Can they coexist and share this body?” Che’er asked.

The High Shaman shook his head with difficulty.

“One mountain cannot hold two tigers. Two souls gathered in one body defies the laws of nature. If this continues, one must die and the other will be wounded. Only by separating them early can the damage be minimized.”

Che’er lowered his head in thought for a moment. “Then… can they be swapped?”

This was exactly what I feared most.

This child was too stubborn.

Upon receiving the Shaman’s negative answer, Che’er slumped down in despair.

He sat there blankly for a long time before suddenly speaking, “Father, did you decide to leave me behind long ago?”

I remained silent for a moment.

“Che’er, I should have left a long time ago.”

“Birth, age, illness, and death-the cycle of all things is the natural order of the world.”

“I shouldn’t even exist in this world anymore. To have gained this extra time is already a great blessing.”

Che’er was dazed for a long time.

He slowly raised his hands to cover his face, and then muffled, suppressed sobs drifted from beneath his sleeves.

“Yesterday, as you were talking, your voice suddenly vanished. I couldn’t feel your presence at all.”

“It was as if you had suddenly disappeared and would never come back.”

“Father… I’m scared.”

When the news of Zhou Ke’s rebellion arrived, the tear tracks on Che’er’s face were not yet dry.

Without even pausing to wipe them away, he stood up and walked out.

His steps were steady and resolute, showing none of the vulnerability from moments before.

I felt a sense of pride, but also a pang of heartache.