"We could have stayed at the school together, teaching and nurturing students, watching the sun rise and set, and living a peaceful life. Wouldn't that be nice?"

Peaceful?

At that time, he was no longer receptive to such romantic sentiments.

His mind was filled entirely with the earnest teachings of his mentor, Marshal Deng Qihe, the bloody battles of the soldiers on the border, and that heavy mission called "Marshal."

He looked at the tear-stained girl before him, the girl he had once loved to his very bones.

In the end, he only coldly spat out a few words.

"I agree."

...

Gradually, he grew to become Great Xia's supreme commander-in-chief.

While Lin Zhu became the honorary vice principal of the Imperial Capital Academy.

At the same time, they became Great Xia's only two SS-Rank Professionals.

Busy with securing Great Xia's stability, he had never married.

And Lin Zhu had never started a family either.

Zhao Qingcang knew in his heart that she had always held a place for him.

She had always been waiting for him.

Even when they reached an advanced age, the way Lin Zhu looked at him was always filled with resentment and longing.

Before he knew it, Zhao Qingcang had arrived in front of Lin Zhu's villa.

The iron gate of the courtyard was left ajar, its paint peeling in several places from exposure to the wind and sun.

He pushed the gate open, and a bleak autumn chill rushed over him.

The flowers in the courtyard were beginning to wither, and the surrounding green leaves were turning yellow.

No matter how carefully they had been tended to in the past, once the blooming season passed, they would inevitably wither away.

Looking at this scene of decay, Zhao Qingcang understood.

This was because Lin Zhu was no longer here.

When Lin Zhu was in this little courtyard, it was filled with the vibrant life of spring all year round.

He walked to the corner, where a somewhat rusty tin watering can sat.

Lifting the watering can, it felt cold and heavy in his hand.

Walking over to the tap, he turned the valve, and clear tap water rushed out, filling the watering can.

Step by step, he walked to the withered flowerbed and began to water it with gentle movements.

Water droplets slid from the spout, dripping onto the dry branches and leaves, spreading into small, dark wet patches, yet failing to bring back even a shred of life.

He muttered to himself, his voice raspy.

"Zhu girl, this might be the last time I come to see you."

"Or, wait for me on the other side."

"I'll be coming over to accompany you soon."

He squatted down, stretching out his calloused hand to gently stroke a withered rose.

The petals were shriveled and curled, crumbling into powder at the slightest touch.

Yet his gaze was exceptionally doting, as if he were looking into Lin Zhu's eyes.

"Actually, I had plans before."

"Once you returned from the Castlantis Archipelago, I was going to step down from the position of Marshal."

"And then, I wouldn't go anywhere else."

"I would just spend the rest of my days accompanying you."

A picture of that very scene seemed to flash before his eyes.

Under the afternoon sun, they would sit on the rocking chairs in this courtyard. He would read her those dry history books she liked, while she rested her head on his shoulder, sleeping peacefully.

What a pity.

"Unfortunately, Heaven didn't give me this chance."

The water in the watering can gradually ran dry.

"I, Zhao Qingcang, have let you down."

"If there is a next life, I promise I won't care about anything else."

"I won't be any bullshit Marshal, and I won't care about Great Xia's safety."

"I will just stay by your side, properly, every single moment."

"We will return to the Imperial Capital Academy. You can be the teacher, and I'll be your teaching assistant."

"Wherever you want to go, I will accompany you."

"If you want to watch the sunrise, we'll go to the Shores of the Eastern Sea."

"If you want to watch the snow fall, we'll go to the snow-capped mountains of the Northern Border."

"I will never leave you alone again."

He rambled on, as if planning an incredibly beautiful future.

But this future could only be placed upon an illusory next life.

"So, Lin girl..."

"You must wait for me."

Having said that, he stood up and looked around the villa.

There was no longer any lingering attachment in his eyes.

He turned and walked out of the courtyard gate.

At the moment he turned around, his hunched figure seemed to straighten up once more.

The warmth and regret in his eyes were completely reined in, replaced by the iron-blooded resolve fitting of a Great Xia Marshal.

The wind blew, sweeping up the fallen leaves on the ground.

The iron gate slowly closed behind him, letting out a dull, soft clack.

The departing figure was upright and resolute.

...

Zhao Qingcang returned to his office.

Someone was already waiting for him there.

It was Gandalf, controlled by Zhou Huai.

The moment he saw Zhao Qingcang, Zhou Huai controlled Gandalf to stand up and bow deeply.

"Marshal, thank you."

If Zhao Qingcang hadn't mobilized the strength of the entire nation to launch a full-scale war against Sakura Country at this time,

sharing most of the pressure for Zhou Huai,

it would have been absolutely impossible for Zhou Huai to snatch the Pendulum of Life again.

Through this, Marshal Zhao bore an unprecedentedly massive pressure, carrying the entire future of Great Xia Nation on his shoulders.

Yet, the Old Marshal had still done so resolutely.

Zhao Qingcang waved his hand, indicating there was no need for this.

He walked over to his seat and sat down, his voice slightly raspy.

"I didn't do this for you."

"It was for Great Xia."

He raised his eyes, looking directly at Gandalf.

"The military forces of all major war zones have already gathered at the border."

"Are you ready on your end?"

Zhou Huai controlled Gandalf and nodded.

"I came here today to bid you farewell, Marshal."

"My people are fully prepared. Minister Wei Liao will secretly send them to Sakura Country tonight."

Zhao Qingcang nodded slightly, his expression grave.

"Be careful with everything."

"In this battle against Sakura Country, you are the most critical key."

Zhou Huai responded with utmost seriousness.

"I will give it my all."

Having said that, as if suddenly remembering something, he changed the subject.

"By the way, Marshal."

"I have a Avatar that might be able to stay by your side and lend you a hand."

Hearing this, Zhao Qingcang's brow furrowed imperceptibly.

A Avatar?

Before he could even ask,

the office door was gently pushed open.

An exquisitely beautiful figure walked in.

She had long, deep-sea blue hair tied into playful twin tails.

Her facial features were so delicate that she didn't seem like a mortal.

Though dressed in simple cloth robes, it could not hide her devastatingly beautiful elegance.

Zhao Qingcang's gaze was instantly drawn to her.

Zhou Huai's voice rang out at the right moment, introducing her,

"Her name is Sona, an SS-Rank Professional, the Myriad Illusion Musician."

"She is of the Support Class, so she isn't suited to follow me on a secret invasion."

"However, if she remains on the frontal battlefield, she might actually work wonders."