Confrontation

In the early morning, as the first light of dawn broke, Xianyue remained deep in slumber. Faintly, she heard the sound of horns, and suddenly awakening, her previously drowsy eyes sparkled with clarity, dispelling any remnants of sleep.

Lying in bed, she gazed blankly at the ceiling, the distant horn calls growing nearer. She brushed aside the hair that fell over her forehead, and a shadow suddenly flickered outside the tent, illuminated by the flickering campfire despite the dim light of dawn.

"Your Highness." Before Bai Pingting could finish her sentence, Xianyue had already sat up in bed. "What is it?"

As she spoke, Xianyue slipped on her shoes and walked to the entrance, following Bai Pingting to the banks of the Bi Luo River.

At the river's edge, Bai Zhanfeng and Cheng Qiang had already arrived, alongside other generals, their expressions marked with gravity.

It was a winter morning, and on the river, mist hung heavy in the air. In the distance, the sun began its slow ascent, its brilliant rays gradually piercing through the fog. At that moment, the Xuanyuan royal flag billowed proudly in the breeze, flanked by two newly constructed warships safeguarding the royal passage. The vessels advanced cautiously across the river, halting several hundred meters from the opposite shore, where banners were raised in unison, all bearing the emblem of the Xuanyuan.

"Xuanyuan's Young Master has arrived; everyone, come forth to greet him!"

A general beside Xuanyuan Hao shouted, his voice booming like thunder, resonating across the vast river, infused with a palpable pride and respect.

Xianyue passed by the assembled generals, gazing across the river where the new ships shimmered in the sunlight. Standing at the forefront, she couldn't help but smile softly, noting how swiftly Xuanyuan Hao had acted, transporting timber from various regions of the State of Chu and completing the ships in just ten days.

A light laugh escaped her lips, but suddenly, she heard the coordinated call of the soldiers from the opposite bank. Two groups shifted to the left and right, parting to form a path for Xuanyuan Hao, who emerged from amidst the throng dressed in black, radiating authority.

As the sun rose higher, the morning mist began to dissipate, yet Xianyue stood at the shore, still unable to discern the figures across the river. However, she could sense that the one standing foremost was undoubtedly Xuanyuan Hao.

"Long live the Young Master!"

"Long live the Young Master!"

Cheers erupted from Xuanyuan's soldiers on the opposite bank, their voices ringing out with fervor, thousands of gleaming swords and blades pointing skyward in a synchronized display, transforming the horizon into a formidable array of steel, obscuring the bright orange glow of the morning sun.

Xuanyuan Hao raised his hand in a composed gesture, inadvertently exuding an aura that commanded submission. Despite his current status as merely the Young Master of Xuanyuan and not yet on the throne, nearly all factions within the court followed his lead. It was undeniable; he was exceptional, wielding influence and authority that compelled loyalty. Yet, he bore a fatal flaw—his filial piety. While admirable for a ruler, such qualities could be a hindrance for one vying for the throne.

On Xianyue's side, all eyes were fixed on the river, none comprehending Xuanyuan Hao's intentions. A sense of apprehension lingered; how had they managed to construct so many ships in just ten days?

"Xianyue, it's been a long time," he called, silencing the Xuanyuan soldiers completely, amplifying his kingly presence that demanded respect.

Across the river, the morning sun finally broke free, leaping above the horizon, bathing the world in a sudden radiance.

Amidst the confident and imposing figure of Xuanyuan Hao, Bai Zhanfeng furrowed his brow, while those standing behind Xianyue wore solemn expressions. The two armies faced each other, and Xuanyuan Hao's overly familiar address was far from endearing.

Xianyue's lips curved into a slight smile as she scrutinized the troops flanking him. She understood their intentions; just as Bai Pingting and the others would not allow her to come to harm, they too would protect Xuanyuan Hao's safety with their lives. Their choice to act now was clearly a strategy to use the fog as cover.

Xianyue gazed toward Xuanyuan Hao, her fingers curling and uncurling. She was not foolish; if she harmed him now, his soldiers would undoubtedly seek vengeance. She might not enjoy the same odds of victory later. Even if Xuanyuan Hao wished for death at this moment, she would not permit it.

"Can you call the Queen by her name so casually?" Cheng Qiang stepped forward, pointing toward the river. Despite Xuanyuan Hao's noble lineage as the Young Master, Xianyue was the Queen of Lan Kingdom. Cheng Qiang, a general of Lan, was understandably displeased by Xuanyuan Hao's disrespectful tone.

Before Cheng Qiang could further rebuke Xuanyuan Hao, Xianyue raised a hand to halt him. She turned, glanced at Cheng Qiang, gently shook her head, and then turned back to the river, laughing softly, "Xuanyuan Hao, you sure know how to make an entrance."

Standing on the river, with the sun now risen, Xuanyuan Hao strained to piece together her features from a hundred meters away—her pale attire and unadorned face, with ebony hair flowing freely, reminiscent of their first meeting, exuding a carefree, wild charm. Though he maintained a polite smile, turmoil surged within him. She was the woman he had lost, and the moment he wed Ning Yunyan, he vowed to himself not to regret it. He had believed he could forgo regret, thinking that the splendid realm could compensate for all that he had missed. But now, his heart ached with a strange pain; the complexity of his feelings was unfamiliar. He regretted not having fought for her, not having conspired with Pin Yu against her. If he had only stood firm, perhaps things would be different now. At the very least, she wouldn't be so resolutely aligned with Lan Yixuan. He blamed himself, especially after being cornered at the Bi Luo River, where regret intensified daily, tormenting him. Why wasn't this intelligent and exquisite woman his? Why did he not possess such fortune?

He had always been a man of confidence and arrogance, disbelieving in destiny, yet now he felt that some things were indeed preordained.

"Feng Xianyue, this world is destined to be mine!" 

Xuanyuan Hao raised his chin, his actions only amplifying his formidable presence. His voice soared, brimming with the determination to break through all obstacles, his elevated hand radiating power, as if capable of grasping the entire realm. 

"Long live the Young Master!"

"Long live the Young Master!"

Upon hearing Xuanyuan Hao's declaration, the soldiers on both sides surged with fervor, their spirits soaring. A glimmer of admiration flickered in Xianyue's eyes; despite being cornered at the Bi Luo River, the soldiers who followed him displayed no hint of despondency. It must be said, Xuanyuan Hao was indeed a commendable leader.

He was not only proclaiming his resolve but also declaring war. To construct over a thousand vessels in such a brief span was an achievement few could match. Xuanyuan Hao's fervor for unifying the realm surpassed that of anyone else. He was a man of ambition and dreams; should he ever achieve dominion over the world, he might usher in an era of prosperity akin to that of King Zhou. Yet—

"Xuanyuan Hao, I cannot allow that."

In the past, she might not have cared as much, but now her determination to end the conflict—a decision to pass the chaos into Lan Yixuan's hands—was no less significant than Xuanyuan Hao's aspirations.

She was uncertain whether this was merely a case of a lover seeing beauty in their beloved, yet she firmly believed that if Lan Yixuan were to become the ruler one day, he would surely govern with greater wisdom than Xuanyuan Hao. The people of the realm would willingly submit, each one finding joy in the presence of such a noble, elegant, and approachable monarch.

"We shall rely on our own merits."

The sun had risen, and the mist had completely dissipated. Xuanyuan Hao gazed at Xianyue's face, exuding confidence and composure. Indeed, they were now relying on their own merits. He had always thought his opponents would be both Lan Yixuan and Xianyue, but unexpectedly, it was Xianyue alone who stood before him. Every soldier of Xuanyuan rejoiced at this turn of events. Despite Xuanyuan's open-mindedness and the presence of women in the military, their inherent machismo led them to regard women with disdain. They had anticipated a smooth campaign, yet he knew the reality was far more complex. Like Xianyue, he viewed the battle at the Bi Luo River as a defining conflict. Victory would undoubtedly elevate morale, and those still watching from the sidelines would quickly find clarity in their allegiances.

In this world, if there were one woman who could sit at the same level as Xuanyuan Hao, it would undoubtedly be Feng Xianyue. Alas, this woman could not be by his side, and what troubled him further was that she was his adversary.

"Xuanyuan Hao, I have never been defeated."

Xianyue raised an eyebrow. Having known Xuanyuan Hao for nearly two years, every contest between them had ended in her triumph. This time, with Xuanyuan Hao trapped at the Bi Luo River, she had gained the upper hand.

"This time will be no different."

Xianyue spoke with confidence and poise, her words impossible to ignore.

Xuanyuan Hao stared at her, tilting his head back in sudden, raucous laughter—his laughter was as audacious as his character, brimming with arrogance. "Xianyue, before the world, I will never lose." Even in defeat, he would rise again.

Had Xuanyuan Hao foreseen the future, he would not have uttered such words nor harbored such thoughts. No matter how formidable one might be, certain blows could not be endured.