When the two had crossed the boundary marker by more than a mile, Ethan Carter stopped in his tracks. The air was thick with the smell of sulfur, and the young crown prince was already struggling to breathe, forcing himself not to show it.

“That’s enough, let’s stop here for this year,” Ethan Carter turned around, drew the sword from the prince’s side, and thrust it into the ground. “If you go any farther, you won’t be able to take it.”

“…This year?”

“From now on, you can come here every year. If I’m not mistaken, this sword should be able to move forward five miles each year. In less than ten years, the fire of Chiyuan should be completely extinguished. By then, you can have the ‘Qingping Office’ station people here permanently—as for that intimidating boundary marker, just smash it.”

The crown prince was taken aback, vaguely sensing another meaning in his words.

Emperor Qizheng had already shown signs of preparing to abdicate a year ago. On two inspection tours, he had left the crown prince to act as regent, suppressing unrest in all directions, and had methodically paved the way for his successor.

But now that the day had truly come, the young heir was still flustered and at a loss.

“I’ve already taught you everything you need to know.” Ethan Carter said calmly. “Brian Cooper and Evan Grant are reliable. Owen Reed is still in prison—he’s innocent. Remember to release him when you return and clear the The Reed Family’s name. A son does not speak of his father’s faults. In the future, if you find it inconvenient to speak ill of me, just push Eric Bennett forward. That kid’s no good—he’s grown fat and lazy these years, and it’s about time he was sent to slaughter. He’s the New Year’s offering I’ve raised for you.”

He paused for a moment, as if recalling whether he’d forgotten anything. The crown prince dropped to his knees with a thud: “Royal Uncle, you are still in your prime…”

Ethan Carter laughed. “What, do you want me to work until I’m old and decrepit, or until I’m in the grave? Your uncle has worried half his life—have some pity on me. The edict of abdication, I’ve left a copy each with Brian Cooper and Ryan Clark. Old Feng will escort you back to the capital with a squad of imperial guards. He was your father’s closest friend and will protect you. Don’t be afraid.”

The crown prince’s eyes reddened.

Ethan Carter stood with his hands behind his back, gazing toward Chiyuan, and gently touched the prince’s forehead. “Do you still remember your birth parents?”

“Your son has never dared forget, not for a day.”

“That’s good.” Ethan Carter nodded. “You’ve grown up and know how to walk your own path. Go now—staying here too long is bad for your health.”

“And you?”

“The capital is stifling. I don’t want to go back,” Ethan Carter said. “I… mm, I’ll just guard Chiyuan for you. If you have time in the future, you can come visit me.”

The crown prince felt a little more at ease, but then remembered something and frowned: “But the area around Chiyuan is so desolate, and there’s no palace…”

“I’ve made arrangements,” Ethan Carter interrupted, pulling him up and giving him a gentle push. “Go on. I have old friends in Chiyuan—I’ll keep them company. You’re all too noisy.”

The crown prince dared not defy the imperial command. He walked back, looking over his shoulder every few steps. When he reached the boundary marker, he couldn’t help but look back one last time at the man, who was now sitting cross-legged on the ground before the sword.

In that instant, an inexplicable premonition arose in the crown prince’s heart—this would be the last time he saw that figure’s back.

Then he felt his thoughts were absurd. Emperor Qizheng was farsighted; since he said he had made arrangements, there must already be a palace built nearby. From now on, he must be diligent, so his royal uncle would have no worries, and be sure to pay his respects dutifully during festivals—that would be filial enough.

Thinking this, the crown prince knelt before the boundary marker and performed the grand rite of three kneelings and nine kowtows to the man in black, then set off toward his own destiny.

After sending off the crown prince and his retinue, night had already fallen. The imperial guards had all been dismissed, leaving only one attendant behind. The attendant came up behind Ethan Carter, knelt down and curled up. His armor slipped off, his robe fell to the ground, and from within emerged a tiny bird, no bigger than a palm, silently keeping watch by its master’s side.

“Oh, right,” Ethan Carter scratched its neck with a finger and fished out an extremely fine golden thread from around the little bird’s neck. “I almost forgot about you.”

The golden thread shimmered with intricate inscriptions, as if it had grown into its neck. Ethan Carter gently pinched it, and the thread snapped instantly between his fingers.

A low growl rumbled from the bird’s throat, and then its body suddenly grew more than tenfold. Its wings spread wide, flames flared up, and it let out a long, piercing cry. In the southern night sky, the stars and clouds churned—this was actually a young Bifang!

Ethan Carter stood up and sighed, “You don’t have to watch me anymore. We’re both free now.”

The Bifang stepped forward and gently took hold of his hem.

Ethan Carter looked down at it. The Bifang met his gaze, instinctively shrank back, slowly released its grip, and sat down, a little awkward.

“Good.” The man smiled, took off his headpiece, and his long hair, tied atop his head, fell loose. He waved his hand, then turned and walked toward Chiyuan.

Chiyuan’s land was split for a thousand miles, with violent magma churning below and not a blade of grass on either bank. By the time he reached the edge of the cliff, his robe sleeves and boots had already been scorched and blackened.

The mask of gentle calm on his face cracked, revealing a hint of pleasure and madness beneath.

It’s still better to be mortal.