Volume One: The Hidden Dragon in the Abyss Chapter Ninety-Two: The Waxing and Waning Moon

Let the rest be; Wang Chuan did not wish anything to disturb his pursuits. Afterward, he secluded himself, devoting most of his days to cultivation. Matters outside were handled efficiently by Yang Hao and Uncle Zhong; only the affairs of the Yu Kingdom remained to be settled.

Xu Wei often came to pester him. “Brother Chuan, let’s go play.”

“I’m not going. You go by yourself, but don’t wander too far,” Wang Chuan replied, shaking his head.

“Oh.” Xu Wei did not go out, instead lying nearby in silence, watching him with dejection.

“Are you bored?” Wang Chuan asked, somewhat speechless.

“Mm-hmm,” Xu Wei nodded earnestly. “It’s so dull.”

She practiced what Wang Chuan had taught her, grasping with five fingers. Now she could just about lift a cup, though her strength was limited—certainly not enough to kill.

“Play by yourself. I’m not in the mood,” Wang Chuan said, feeling a bit guilty.

“Brother Chuan, you haven’t finished telling me the story from last time,” Xu Wei said. “What happened to them afterward? Oh, let’s go travel the world like them!”

It was not so easy to roam the martial world, nor was it as beautiful as the tales made it seem—too much embellishment. Wang Chuan shook his head and tossed her several envelopes. “If you’re bored, write more letters to your mother.”

He would rather expend a bit more spiritual energy. Watching her walk away, lost in thought, he sensed she had made up her mind about something.

Soon, Sky Star came to bother him as well. “Your Highness, heroes rise, dragons and serpents vie for supremacy—the age of chaos is upon us. I’ve gathered masters from all sides. When shall we intercept the Demon Emperor?”

“Is resolving the coming calamity as simple as killing some villain?” Wang Chuan asked, surprised.

If so, he would naturally do it without hesitation.

“No, not at all,” Sky Star replied. “But we can strike at the demon race.”

Strike at the demons? Yet not a shadow of them could be seen. When the armies arrive… Wang Chuan was but one man, unable to hold back the tide. Protecting a few was already quite a feat; saving the world was beyond him.

“Any news of the Void Sage?” Wang Chuan asked.

“I’ve heard there’s unrest in the demon realm—the Void Sage seems to be gathering all sorts of divine artifacts,” Sky Star reported.

“Divine artifacts? There aren’t that many,” Wang Chuan mused. “They’re treasures, rich in laws, but ultimately just artifacts and limited. No matter how fine, they’re not priceless—at our level, we should know this. Unless it’s something truly unique and indispensable…”

“Sigh, common folk may not know, but so-called divine artifacts are exceedingly rare now. It’s not about their power, but what they contain. In our era, great figures sought higher realms, deeper laws; the relics of previous generations could no longer satisfy them. Only by comprehending the remnants of the preceding epoch could they perfect their own path,” Sky Star explained.

“Already from a previous era… It makes sense,” Wang Chuan reflected. “The demon race seeks something different—extreme evil, slaughter, fierce and violent resentment. Such divine weapons are exceedingly rare.”

“I’ve heard many ancient legacies are emerging!” Sky Star gasped. “The gods return, myriad realms will be reordered, and after the epochal tribulation, so it shall be. But our human race has unrivaled talents—we need not worry. Still, Wang Chuan, what sort of existence will you be?”

“You talk too much,” Wang Chuan shot him a glance. “Go back. Stop bothering me.”

...

Wang Chuan gazed north, sensing the aura growing ever stronger. They were right—something was about to emerge.

The next day, the Lord of Jin summoned him, insisting he leave the palace. The envoy from Yu Kingdom had departed; since that early court, it was Wang Chuan’s second outing.

“After your wedding, you will make a diplomatic mission to the Xia Kingdom,” the Lord of Jin declared, wasting no words on wedding details, leaving those for others to arrange.

Straightforward and direct.

“To Xia Kingdom? Is that the first target?” Wang Chuan recalled the map.

The land of the nine provinces—Xia lay in the northeast. Years ago, its people were renowned for bravery and skill in battle. Yet times had changed.

“Yes. When the city falls, I shall celebrate with you,” said the Lord of Jin. “When you were young, I told you: together, we would hunt in the Central Plains and vie for supremacy. That day draws near.”

Nearer and nearer—the confidence was overwhelming.

Wang Chuan found it almost terrifying. Most unsettling, he could not sense the source of the Lord’s confidence.

He was never one to fear, but now, lost in doubt, he felt it was ill-fitting.

Xia Kingdom—he would go himself when the time came, to see what cards remained hidden.

...

The palace lamps burned bright and dim in scattered clusters; above, the night sky was studded with stars, their brilliance mingling with the lights below, casting a shimmering haze over every pavilion and hall.

In some corner of the grand hall, heaps of flowers were piled high; a cool night breeze carried their delicate fragrance, drifting like mist and smoke, lingering under the moon and tugging at the hearts of all present.

Within the palace, candles glowed, maidens flitted about, the air was rich with scent and the gentle murmurs of conversation.

Today, the Lord of Jin hosted a grand banquet for his ministers; nearly all the important officials attended, along with envoys from other kingdoms, each come to celebrate the Crown Prince’s wedding.

From Yu Kingdom came the Dragon Lord Yi, a close acquaintance; Wang Chuan met him privately.

“His Majesty seems always to have something he wishes to say to you, but in the end, he never does,” said Dragon Lord Yi.

“All is well. Tell him so when you return; everything is under my control,” Wang Chuan replied. “It is not those flawless people who make Yu Kingdom formidable, but those who can reveal their flaws and change because of them—such people are truly fearsome. Your emperor grows stronger by the day. I am honored, and grateful.”

Wang Chuan sighed.

He himself had yet to reach that step.

“I will strive as well. I won’t let down those who should not be disappointed. Tell him to rest easy; what he fears will not come to pass,” Wang Chuan said, clapping his shoulder.

“I understand,” Dragon Lord Yi replied.

Yet he still did not fully comprehend what lay between them.

...

“Wei’er.”

When Wang Chuan returned to his chambers, the young woman was sitting by the bed, waiting for him.

He reached out and drew aside the curtain, his gaze lingering on the girl atop the bed, his mouth dry with longing, unable to look away. “Wei’er, you look so beautiful tonight.”

“Mm.” Xu Wei wore the phoenix coronet and red bridal robes, her skin flushed, breathing quick and shallow, responding unconsciously.

She murmured softly, words indistinct.

“You’re tired—rest early,” Wang Chuan helped her remove her outer garments and makeup. “If you can’t sleep, I’ll tell you a story—the ones you like.”

The girl seemed confused, her beauty undiminished, now tinged with a fragile sweetness that stirred pity.

“It doesn’t seem like this,” she murmured.

“What do you mean? What did they teach you?” Wang Chuan laughed.

“They said we should consummate the marriage,” Xu Wei replied seriously. “They said it would hurt a lot. Are you going to bully me?”

“Of course not. Then we won’t do it—wait until you’re ready,” Wang Chuan said, stroking her head. “Silly girl, we’ve already done it—you might even have a little one soon.”

“Really? Is it here already?” Xu Wei gasped, touching her belly.

“Not yet. Whenever you want, it can happen,” Wang Chuan said, glancing at her. “Sleep now. Aren’t you tired?”

“Brother Chuan, are you tired?” Xu Wei asked.

“A bit. Just worn out,” Wang Chuan sighed, holding her quietly as they lay together. “Wei’er, you smell so nice.”

“Hehe…” Xu Wei giggled softly.

“How strange,” the girl said, still excited. “Aren’t we supposed to drink the wedding wine, and do other things?”

“Our affairs are ours alone—we can do as we please. Don’t mind those customs,” Wang Chuan suddenly rolled over and kissed her. “Stop letting your mind wander.”

Xu Wei quickly burrowed under the covers, her eyes shining with a misty allure, her skin rosier than before, her appearance now even more captivating, stirring hearts.

She later secretly planted a kiss on Wang Chuan.

“Wei’er, there may be more to do in the days ahead,” Wang Chuan sighed. “In a few days, let’s go out and have some fun.”

“Oh? Where?”

“How about Xia Kingdom?”

“Alright! I’ve never been.”

This only made her even less inclined to sleep, and more restless.

Wang Chuan glanced at her, regretting it a bit.

“What’s Xia Kingdom like?” Xu Wei asked.

“Have you seen snow, Wei’er?” Wang Chuan asked.

“Yes,” Xu Wei nodded. “Every winter it snows—not much fun.”

“Perhaps. Over there, the snow is probably heavier,” Wang Chuan pondered. “There are wolves and bears, many frightening creatures.”

“That’s alright. I’m learning the skills you taught me,” Xu Wei said earnestly. “I’ll practice hard.”

“You always say that, but you never train for even half an hour a day,” Wang Chuan remarked.

“I really will try hard,” Xu Wei insisted.

“Do as you wish,” Wang Chuan said. “As long as you’re happy, that’s enough. No need to chase fame and success.”

If everyone were like him, he couldn’t accept it.

He had come this far, walked this path—it was tiring and lonely.

If he had children, he wouldn’t want them to follow his footsteps.

This was his chosen road. With loved ones to protect, he grew more diligent, more determined to reach his goals.

“Brother Chuan, will you write a poem tonight?” Xu Wei asked.

“Is there a poem?” Wang Chuan had nothing prepared, and could not think of anything, so he shook his head. “Another day, perhaps.”

“Then tell me a story. What happened in that one you mentioned last time? Why didn’t they realize the girl was disguised as a boy?” Xu Wei asked curiously.

“Alright, that story… But I don’t remember it too clearly,” Wang Chuan said, troubled. “It’s not that I deliberately leave stories unfinished, but I just can’t recall. How embarrassing.”

“As for that story, I remember the girl and the protagonist succeeded in their revenge. She first pretended to be a fictional sister to meet the protagonist, then later a friend told him, but he never realized… The ending was happy, wasn’t it?”