Volume 1, Chapter 196 – A Promise

“You have to go?”

Gu Han asked.

Empress Qingxuan glanced back at her, a trace of complex emotion in her eyes.

There was helplessness, resolve, and a hint of… barely perceptible tenderness.

“I have to go.”

She repeated the words, her tone firm.

“And not merely to win their trust.”

She returned to Gu Han and leaned down, bracing both hands on the armrests of Gu Han’s jade chair and half encircling her.

They were so close they could hear each other breathe.

Qingxuan’s distinctive fragrance grew stronger, mingling with the crisp scent of spirit tea and filling Gu Han’s senses.

“Do you know why I chose this moment to reveal the existence of the Xuanhuang Continent?”

Qingxuan lowered her voice, imbuing it with an intimacy and deeper meaning that only the two of them understood.

Gu Han leaned back slightly, trying to put a little distance between them, though she made no real attempt to escape. She merely raised her eyes to meet Qingxuan’s gaze.

“For me? To avert the crisis that ‘mending the heavens’ might bring?”

“Yes, but not entirely.”

Empress Qingxuan chuckled and lifted a hand, gently brushing a strand of silver hair from Gu Han’s cheek.

The gesture was tender, filled with unmistakable care.

“It’s true that I don’t want you getting drawn into Longteng’s dangerous scheme.”

“But more importantly…”

She paused, her eyes blazing as though sparks burned within them.

“I want to pave a broader path for you, and for myself.”

“A path that will take us to greater heights. A path we can walk side by side.”

A path they could walk side by side…

Those words gently tugged at Gu Han’s heartstrings.

Did Qingxuan mean…

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That she was going to the Xuanhuang Continent not merely to make this expedition possible, but for their shared future?

The realization sent an indescribable thrill through Gu Han’s heart.

“That path is dangerous.”

Gu Han’s voice came out slightly hoarse.

“Back then… you were hunted there.”

“Yes. It’s very dangerous.”

Qingxuan readily admitted it. Her fingertip slid from the end of Gu Han’s hair and gently tapped her over the heart.

“That’s why I have to go first.”

“I need to find out whether the ancient Liyang clan is still searching for me, learn what the situation there is now, and find a relatively safe place for us to establish ourselves.”

Her voice carried an unquestionable sense of responsibility.

“Once I’ve secured a foothold there, and once you’ve finished dealing with matters in the Southern Region…”

Qingxuan’s gaze was tender enough to drown in, her voice soft yet resolute.

“I’ll wait for you on the Xuanhuang Continent.”

“When that time comes, I’ll show you its sun and moon, its mountains and rivers. I’ll let you experience a truly complete Great Dao and take you in search of the legendary path to immortality…”

“All right?”

She spoke those final words almost against Gu Han’s lips.

Her warm breath brushed over them, carrying a tempting promise and boundless anticipation.

Gu Han looked at the breathtakingly beautiful face so close to hers, at the undisguised passion and expectation in Qingxuan’s eyes, and the tenderness hidden deep within them.

Strangely, the worry and turmoil she felt over Qingxuan’s journey into danger were washed away by a current of warmth.

This woman…

She was always like this.

She appeared languid and carefree, but in truth, she was meticulous, planning every step well in advance.

She approached Gu Han in the most direct way possible, yet at crucial moments, she displayed astonishing responsibility and far-reaching foresight.

To keep Gu Han out of danger, she had exposed the risks of Longteng’s plan.

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For the sake of their shared future, she was willing to risk her own life and venture ahead into that unknown, perilous world.

The weight of those feelings left Gu Han at a loss.

“You… must be careful.”

After a long while, Gu Han finally spoke in a low voice.

Her voice was soft, yet carried a concern and faint dependence that even she had not noticed.

A dazzling smile instantly lit Empress Qingxuan’s eyes, as radiant as the brightest star in the night sky.

“Are you worried about me, little sister?”

Pressing her advantage, she leaned even closer, until the tips of their noses nearly touched.

“Don’t worry.”

Qingxuan’s voice brimmed with confidence and reassurance.

“Back then, I seized an Imperial Armament all on my own and still managed to escape after being hunted by two experts at my level.”

“My cultivation is even stronger now, and Longteng, the Desolate God, and Venerable Baiyun will be traveling with me.”

“As long as we don’t go out of our way to provoke the most powerful factions, I’ll have no trouble protecting myself.”

She paused, a crafty glint flashing in her eyes.

“You, on the other hand, must take good care of yourself while you remain on the Canglan Continent.”

“Don’t let anyone steal you away while I’m gone.”

The words made the tips of Gu Han’s ears burn. She glared at Qingxuan in exasperation.

“What nonsense are you spouting?”

“It isn’t nonsense.”

Empress Qingxuan straightened, but kept both hands braced on the armrests, holding Gu Han within the intimate space of her presence.

She looked down at the faint flush on Gu Han’s ears, her eyes filled with triumphant delight.

“You said it yourself. In ten years, a hundred at most, you’ll come find me.”

“I’ll be waiting for you there.”

As she spoke, she suddenly lowered her head.

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Before Gu Han could react,

a kiss as light as a feather landed on her smooth forehead.

Cool and soft, it was gone almost as soon as it touched her.

“Consider that a little interest. Once you reach the Xuanhuang Continent, I’ll collect the principal and interest together.”

Gu Han covered her warming forehead and stared at the woman before her, who was smiling like a cunning fox.

Helplessness, a fluttering thrill, and a trace of reluctance mingled in her heart.

She knew Qingxuan’s journey would be fraught with unpredictable danger.

The road ahead was perilous. No matter how lightly Qingxuan spoke of it, the vastness of the Xuanhuang Continent and the powerful enemies lying in wait were no exaggeration.

“When will you leave?”

Gu Han suppressed her turbulent emotions and asked.

“In one year.”

Qingxuan returned to the window and gazed toward a point somewhere among the stars.

“Three days from now, the four of us will travel to the Abyss at the Edge of the Star Sea together and scout out the situation first.”

One year…

There was so little time.

“You don’t need to see me off when the time comes.”

As though seeing through her thoughts, Qingxuan turned around with a gentle smile.

“I don’t like farewells.”

“Besides, this is only a temporary parting.”

“I’ll be waiting for you on the Xuanhuang Continent.”

“You…”

She gazed deeply at Gu Han, as though trying to carve her image into her heart.

“…must take care of yourself.”

Gu Han met her gaze for a moment before slowly nodding.

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“You too.”

Nothing more needed to be said. All her concern, her unspoken cautions, and even the reluctance quietly taking root in her heart were contained in those two words.

Empress Qingxuan smiled, so breathtakingly beautiful beneath the moonlight that it made Gu Han’s heart tremble.

“Mm.”

She answered softly.

Gu Han lingered no longer and turned toward the palace doors.

Just as she was about to step outside, Qingxuan’s voice came from behind her once more, carrying barely perceptible melancholy and unwavering resolve.

“Gu Han.”

Gu Han paused.

“I’ll find the most beautiful place there and wait for you to come.”

“I promise.”

Gu Han did not look back. Only the hand at her side curled almost imperceptibly.

“All right.”

She answered softly, then hesitated no longer, disappearing into the night beyond the palace.

The doors slowly closed, dividing inside and outside into two separate worlds.

Empress Qingxuan stood alone before the window, staring in the direction Gu Han had gone. For a long time, she did not move.

Her fingertips unconsciously stroked the Profound Heart Bracelet around her wrist.

The bracelet was faintly warm, transmitting the equally restless emotions of another heart.

“Little one…”

She murmured to herself, the corners of her lips slowly curving into an exquisitely tender smile.

“Don’t keep me waiting there too long.”