“What… what’s going on here?”
Tian You stared at the street scene, a deep unease stirring within him. This strangeness felt just like the first time he met Nie Wangqing—not from memory, but instinct. And this time… the sight violently shook his still-fragmented worldview.
“T-Tian You… are you alright?” Hua Zhaoxue asked, worry tightening her voice as she noticed his vacant gaze. “Tian You… I never explained earlier… Heartdance City isn’t like Huanan at all. Huanan lies on the empire’s farthest border, with almost no Faithweavers present, so…”
Hua Zhaoxue’s heart clenched with anxiety. Back in Huanan, she’d stayed silent partly to spare his feelings, partly because she never expected her own emotions to shift so fast—or their departure to come so soon. The journey had been turbulent; after escaping the ruins, they’d leaned on each other for over ten days. Her heart had been utterly captivated. How could she have remembered to explain the Shengwu Empire’s current state?
Indeed, after the Empress Sovereign founded the nation, she declared women’s ability to cultivate Qi Energy a divine blessing denied to men. So why *shouldn’t* blessed women, wielding overwhelming power, stand above men?
“I’m fine,” Tian You murmured after a brief pause. He reasoned swiftly and accepted the truth without resistance. In any world, any realm, power was the ultimate factor. Pride, dignity, status… only true strength earned genuine respect.
Yet acceptance didn’t mean agreement. To Tian You, great power demanded equally noble character.
Those boys and elders straining under stone sacks… how were they different from slaves?
“Tian You… this is simply how things are,” Nie Wangqing continued. “Those with steel collars around their necks are Deputy Envoys. Half are appointed solely by Dark Dance Weavers. Ordinary Faithweavers embed restrictions within the Qi Energy they grant—a Deputy Envoy must obey their master’s commands for life.” He glanced gratefully at Hua Zhaoxue, still fretting over Tian You. “Zhaoxue is an exception. Her kindness and gentleness led her to place no restrictions when granting me Qi Energy.”
Hua Zhaoxue caught his look and offered a soft smile. She took Tian You’s hand, whispering, “Tian You… shall I present myself as your maidservant when we meet the city lord?”
“No need. Thank you, Sister Zhaoxue.” He gently clasped her small hand. “I don’t mind. I was just momentarily unsettled.”
“Then… alright. Forgive me for burdening you,” she relented.
Nie Wangqing guided the carriage onward, following a woman’s directions. After several long streets, the crowd thinned. The air grew heavy.
A massive gold-inlaid plaque came into view:
**Heartdance Main City**
The four characters radiated quiet authority. Unlike the city’s lively gates, every passing Faithweaver lowered her posture, hurrying past with male servants, wary of disturbing those within.
*Heartdance Main City — City Lord Jie Shibang*
Though a man devoid of Qi Energy, his cunning and insight surpassed all younger Jie heirs. Through shrewd trials, he claimed the city lordship.
Tian You and Nie Wangqing alighted first. Tian You drew back the curtain and carefully helped Hua Zhaoxue down. Since they’d decided to disguise *him* as a Deputy Envoy, he needed to settle into the role swiftly.
As Hua Zhaoxue took his hand, a faint blush dusted her cheeks. She stilled her fluttering heart, composed her stance, and glided toward the gate.
“City Lord’s residence! Unauthorized persons forbidden!” Two female guards wielding halberds blocked their path.
Their eyes instantly locked onto Tian You’s ethereal presence, greed flashing in their gazes. Hua Zhaoxue suppressed a surge of irritation. Without pleasantries, she produced Li Yilin’s letter and handed it over.
Recognizing the emblem, the guards stepped aside.
Once the trio was out of earshot, one guard muttered, “Tch. How’d *she* get so lucky—landing such a high-grade ‘item’?”
Ahead, Tian You froze. A trace of crimson flickered in his violet eyes. Those amethyst orbs turned slowly, fixing a cold, lingering stare on the murmuring guard’s back.
One second, her face still wore that sour complaint.
The next—her eyes went utterly blank…
