AEOGA CH102

On the tenth day of the ninth lunar month in the fifth year of Xichao, Emperor Jinchao led his forces to breach Langcheng, personally taking the head of Emperor Chongxing. He hung the corpse for three days before grinding the bones to dust and scattering the ashes. Chaos engulfed Yelang from top to bottom, with everyone viewing it as an omen of the nation’s total collapse.

On the fourteenth day of the ninth lunar month in the fifth year of Xichao, Emperor Jinchao triumphantly withdrew his troops. The Changli army marched back toward their homeland without taking a single brick or tile, and without harming a single soldier or civilian, leaving the entire world in utter shock.

No one had expected that after making such a grand spectacle over the past two months—breaching Yelang’s capital and slaying their monarch—Emperor Jinchao possessed zero interest in Yelang’s territory. It was as if he had merely come for a sightseeing tour and killed an enemy ruler along the way.

Folklore rumored that Emperor Jinchao had simply recovered his beloved Empress, choosing the beauty over the realm.

While various rebel factions across Yelang were still debating how to overthrow Emperor Chongxing, the tyrant had already been beheaded by Emperor Jinchao. As they then tried to band together to unite against the foreign enemy, Emperor Jinchao simply turned and left without taking a single cloud with him, leaving behind a leaderless Yelang in total internal strife.

The briefly allied warlords instantly turned from friends to foes, dividing the territory among themselves in an all-out struggle for the throne.

After a long period of chaotic turmoil, a grassroots hero named Ye Yang rose to prominence and claimed the imperial title. He loved his people like his own children, governed with diligence, advocated for peace, and prioritized agriculture and commerce, earning the deep devotion of the populace.

It was rumored that the new emperor once gazed upon the portrait of the Empress of Changli and remained stunned into silence for a long time. From then on, he expressed goodwill toward Changli, turning weapons into plowshares and establishing a century of peace through diplomatic relations.

All of those were events for the future.

For now, the people of Changli were warmly welcoming back their victorious Emperor, Empress, and returning army.

Over the past two years, Xie Chongjin and Lu Xuechao had poured their hearts into saving the declining nation of Changli, guiding it to flourish day by day, which had already restored their prestige. This battle was fought in response to Yelang’s aggression on their borders—a righteous crusade to punish the enemy and avenge an ancient feud. Winning it so thoroughly delighted the people’s hearts and raised the duo’s renown to its absolute peak, leaving a mark worthy of immortalization in the history books.

Upon their return to the capital, citizens lined the streets in grand welcome, shouting words of adoration and respect.

From the high walls of the imperial palace, one could take in the full view of Yujing City. A group of men of distinct flair and elegance stood on the battlements, gazing far into the distance.

Hua Yan stood on tiptoe, craning his neck in anticipation: “Where are they? Where are they? Didn’t they say they were returning today? Why can’t I see them?”

Fu Xinian glanced at him with a fond laugh, lifting him up by his waist to rest above his shoulders: “Can you see now?”

Having been too short to see, Hua Yan beamed with excitement: “I see them, I see them! I see His Majesty and His Highness! We really won! Ahhh! His Majesty and His Highness are my gods!”

Liu Yansheng shook his head in amusement: “You two… really now.”

Shen Hezhou couldn’t bear to look directly. Ever since their relationship was made public before His Majesty and His Highness, Fu Xinian and Hua Yan had stopped hiding entirely, displaying their affection even more blatantly than he and Yansheng did.

Lacking any sense of bashfulness, Hua Yan teased deliberately: “Not high enough! Tanhua-lang, lift me a bit higher! I can see Helian and Yulong too! Helian looks so handsome in battle armor, and Yulong’s silver armor is gorgeous as well… Hey, why are you putting me down?”

Fu Xinian replied with a straight face: “My arms got tired.” Hearing him praise other men made his heart sour.

Hua Yan grumbled: “I told you to practice martial techniques more often! You don’t even have this much strength; look at Helian and Yulong.”

Fu Xinian: “…”

He picked Hua Yan up once more: “I can hold on a bit longer.”

Hua Yan let out a light laugh.

He looked down at the grand army marching beneath the city walls, gazing at Lu Xuechao riding side-by-side on the same steed with Xie Chongjin at the very front, his eyes briefly drifting into a daze.

He recalled years ago in Huaman Pavilion, when everyone crowded to catch a glimpse of the young Zhuangyuan riding through the long street. Back then, no matter how high he stood on tiptoe, he couldn’t see a thing, believing that to be a landscape far out of reach for someone like him who had fallen into the mud.

Now he stood atop a high tower looking down at the majestic army, with the familiar face still atop the horse, but this time he could see it clearly. He was no longer alone; he had a Tanhua-lang lifting him up to behold higher and grander vistas, as if his entire life had been turned upside down, thoroughly renewed.

Hua Yan’s gaze rested on Xie Chongjin and Lu Xuechao.

For some reason, he had a subtle feeling in his heart that his fate had been reshaped by them.

Lin Chanzhi said in coherent excitement: “They’ve reached the outside of the palace!”

Wang Yiming grabbed his hand without hesitation and ran downward: “What are we waiting for then? Hurry to the palace gates to welcome their return!”

The others exchanged glances and quickly ran down the city walls behind them.

The palace gates swung wide open as the imperial guard lined up to welcome the sovereign’s carriage back to the palace.

The group ran down somewhat impetuously, but upon meeting the Emperor and Empress, they didn’t lose their decorum. They bowed hastily, their faces filled with joy.

“Congratulations to Your Majesty for launching the campaign with total victory and swift success,” Liu Yansheng congratulated.

“Helian, this is my first time seeing you in full armor. You look truly magnificent,” Hua Yan said, impatiently pulling his close friend Helian Xi aside to catch up. “I thought Sister Yu wouldn’t let you come back.”

Lin Chanzhi stepped forward somewhat timidly, speaking to Lu Xuechao: “Your Highness, the grapes have ripened recently. I brewed some grape wine and plan to serve it at the victory banquet tonight to welcome Your Majesty and Your Highness home.”

Lu Xuechao smiled gently: “I haven’t even taught you yet, and you’ve already learned it yourself.”

Lin Chanzhi smiled back: “Being by Your Highness’s side and learning through immersion naturally makes one a bit smarter.”

…

That night, the victory banquet commenced.

A triumph in war was a grand occasion, so the banquet was hosted with extreme liveliness and a full attendance. Even Yun Luo, Dugu Ye, and An Ying were invited to attend, granted their own seats.

An Ying felt deeply overwhelmed by the honor; he had never imagined that as a shadow, he would see a day where he received a formal invitation from His Majesty to sit openly alongside the pillars of the nation.

At a victory banquet, rewards were naturally bestowed according to merit.

Those with distinguished martial exploits were the ones at the front lines: the Qin father and son, Helian Xi, and Dugu Ye who had been recruited by the court. Helian Xi served as foreign aid, so his rewards were integrated into the bilateral cooperation between Changli and Xifeng. Grand General Qin had already reached the pinnacle of subject hood and claimed he needed no further embellishments; feeling that after half a lifetime on horseback he wished to enjoy some peace, he chose to step down and let his son continue protecting Changli in his stead. Since Qin Yulong had grown into a general capable of standing on his own, Xie Chongjin conferred upon him the title of Grand General of National Defense, while his original general post was filled by Dugu Ye.

Aside from the generals on the battlefield, those who severed Yelang’s economic lifeline, spread rumors to control minds, and supplied military rations—Wang Yiming, Hua Yan, and Lin Chanzhi—were all immensely credited. Meanwhile, Liu Yansheng, Shen Hezhou, and Fu Xinian managed government affairs with devotion, working tirelessly to secure the rear.

Xie Chongjin distributed rewards one by one, officially granting the Wang family the status of Imperial Merchants with hereditary succession, while gifting Yujing’s Huaman Pavilion along with numerous shops to Hua Yan. Lin Chanzhi was appointed as the Grand Minister of Agriculture, overseeing the nation’s agricultural affairs. Liu Yansheng, Shen Hezhou, and Fu Xinian each received promotions, taking up the positions of Minister of Revenue, Minister of Personnel, and Minister of Justice respectively.

Even the Jiang family in Jiangnan, who could not be present, was not forgotten; imperial decrees were drafted and dispatched by fast horse to publicly announce the contributions of the Jiangyan Pharmacy.

When it came to Yun Luo and An Ying, Xie Chongjin asked them what they desired. Yun Luo merely stated that serving His Majesty was his lifelong wish and he asked for nothing else.

Xie Chongjin granted his request, but privately delivered the antidote for inner palace servants to him, giving him the right to pursue his own happiness. He knew full well that Yun Luo harbored only loyalty toward him without any private affection; in the previous life, the players incorporating Yun Luo into the harem had truly made things difficult for him.

He had derailed many lives in the past; now that he could set things right, he naturally wished for everyone to have a fulfilled destination rather than remaining trapped in the deep palace.

An Ying similarly asked for nothing, requesting only that Xie Chongjin bestow a name upon him. He had thought of his own name—he wished to be called Mu Xiaoying.

A shadow in the night, bathed in the dawn light—a new birth.

Xie Chongjin smiled: “A fine name.”

With the rewards bestowed, everyone expressed their gratitude. Hua Yan said with delight: “This time, it is truly a happy ending for everyone.”

Wang Yiming honored his ancestors through his own capability, and Lin Chanzhi could ensure the people of the world were fed. Hua Yan possessed his own establishment and could spend the rest of his life peacefully writing web novels and stories. Liu Yansheng, Shen Hezhou, and Fu Xinian could fully unleash their ambitions. Qin Yulong had become a Grand General. Helian Xi no longer needed to hide his brilliance and could return to Xifeng at any time to reunite with family. Dugu Ye was recruited by the court, successfully protecting the ones he wished to guard. Yun Luo obtained his wish while securing freedom. An Ying gained a new life.

Everyone fulfilled their dreams; this was the greatest joy.

Xie Chongjin spoke up: “Are you truly satisfied with just this?”

“Do not forget, I still have four imperial marriage decrees here.”

…

The news of His Majesty bestowing grand rewards and granting imperial marriages quickly spread through the court and across the whole world.

Such undisguised actions were naturally witnessed by the players as well.

The live stream chat in Wan Jia’s channel exploded.

[Is the dev team crazy? It’s bad enough that the main character went out of control, but why are they sending the concubines out of the palace to become ministers one by one, and even granting them internal marriages? Does the Emperor have a cuckold fetish?]

[This plot development is like an unchained wild dog, truly unprecedented.]

[Are the devs still alive? Come out and give an explanation!]

[Am I the only one swooning… His Majesty dismissed everyone and only kept Lu Xuechao… Out of three thousand waters, he only takes a single scoop to drink. He loves him so much, he really does, I’m crying.]

[I feel like this ending is the true ending, the best HE. After actually understanding every plot concubine’s side story, do you guys really think keeping them in the palace was the right choice?]

…

Inside the game studio.

Bao Hui anxiously stared at the grayed-out icon of Feng Qi Wu: “This game is locked again, and Xiang Jian Huan collapsed into this mess! What on earth is going on?! System, think of something! Can’t you fix the bugs in Xiang Jian Huan?!”

This time, the system remained silent for a long moment.

“It can’t be fixed anymore.”

Bao Hui’s eyes widened: “What did you say? Aren’t you an almighty system? How can you not even fix a game bug?”

He had dreamed of relying on this system to make a fortune and reach the peak of human life! Who would have thought the system was so useless?

The system’s mechanical voice remained as bland as ever, yet a clear trace of terror surfaced: “Xie Chongjin and Lu Xuechao have reset everyone’s destiny back onto the right track, preserving everyone’s fortune and realm luck. I can no longer invade this world.” Nor did it have the power to meddle in their lives any further.

Bao Hui said anxiously: “What nonsense are you talking about? I don’t care! Think of a way! Without this game, how am I going to make money?!”

“Ill-gotten gains should not be taken,” a chilly voice suddenly resounded.

“Who’s there?!” Bao Hui leaped from his chair in fright. He was the only person in this apartment, aside from the emotionless mechanical system voice. Where did this voice come from?

As his eyes widened in terror, a white-haired youth with a countenance as pure as snow appeared out of thin air. His long white eyelashes were slightly lowered as he calmly gazed at him.

Bao Hui babbled incoherently: “You, who are you?”

Yet the system in his mind spoke up, its eternal mechanical voice visibly trembling with panic: “Lord Snow God, spare my life!”

Bao Hui only felt a sharp pain in his forehead before passing out.

Qi Baicha extracted the system from Bao Hui’s mind, scanning it with his divine consciousness to instantly uncover everything the system had done.

“Truly an atrocity,” Qi Baicha frowned, raising his hand to obliterate the system instantly. “Even though Li Jin is dead, the mess he left behind remains immense.”

“The destiny’s child of this world is quite extraordinary, managing to preserve the world through sheer individual willpower without being destroyed by the system, turning all altered destinies back to where they belong.” Qi Baicha sighed softly. “Such mind, willpower, and supreme merit… are comparable to a deity.”

“I should go take a look at them. As for you…” Qi Baicha looked coldly at the unconscious Bao Hui. “Human laws will deal with you.”

…

Inside Wan Jia’s live stream channel.

The game footage on the computer screen was still playing.

The weddings were conducted with grand festivity, and everyone’s final outcome was displayed one by one.

Liu Yansheng and Shen Hezhou were both spouses and colleagues, attending and leaving the court together, occasionally helping each other review memorials—an affection that envied all onlookers.

Fu Xinian and Hua Yan were married. With Fu Xinian’s guidance and polish, Hua Yan’s stories grew better and better, becoming bestsellers across the realm. In the court, Fu Xinian was an impartial, terrifying official, yet off duty he obediently accompanied Hua Yan in wearing matching pink outfits, claiming he was wearing couple attire with his spouse.

Lin Chanzhi and Wang Yiming—one acting as the Grand Minister of Agriculture overseeing national farming affairs, the other a wealthy Imperial Merchant—lived a life no different from ordinary folk. The two loved taking leisure time to nestle in that forest on the outskirts of the capital to enjoy their private world. Lin Chanzhi picked fruits to sell, while Wang Yiming helped keep the accounts.

Helian Xi became Qin Yulong’s general’s spouse. At Helian Yu’s strong insistence, the two held another wedding back in Xifeng—this time with Qin Yulong acting as Helian Xi’s consort. After marriage, the two remained a bickering pair, squabbling and sparring daily in energetic commotion.

Xie Chongjin granted Mu Xiaoying a mansion, yet he disliked staying there, running to Dugu Ye’s general manor every day. Seeing him run over so often, Dugu Ye simply requested an imperial marriage decree to marry him home permanently.

At the end of the footage was that familiar red palace gate. Pushing the door open, a peerless pair stood side-by-side. A purple-robed Emperor and a white-clothed Empress—there was no match more suited under heaven.

“Now that they’ve all departed and the palace is empty, it really feels a bit quiet,” Lu Xuechao teased deliberately. “From now on, you can only face me alone, Your Majesty. Do you regret it?”

“I do not wish to possess three thousand beauties in the harem,” Xie Chongjin looked at Lu Xuechao, his eyes void of any playfulness.

“Only upon seeing you do I feel true joy.”

Achieved TE Ending: [Xiang Jian Huan / Joy of Meeting]

The screen dimmed, and the game crashed to the desktop.

“Huh? Why did it crash?” Wan Jia hurriedly clicked on the Xiang Jian Huan icon again, but this time there was no response no matter how many times he clicked.

On the Xiang Jian Huan Game Forum:

[What’s going on? My game won’t open? Can you guys open it?]

[I can’t open it either.]

[Did this bug-ridden game finally collapse completely?]

[Did you guys see that final true ending? This wave is a total victory for the Chong-Xue faction.]

[Go check the news quickly! The game producer of Xiang Jian Huan got arrested! Wait, no, he wasn’t the original producer at all; he was just a shameless plagiarist!]

[Rushing over to get the drama, what’s the situation?]

[To sum it up, the Xiang Jian Huan we played was made by an anonymous original author. He originally built a nation-building strategy game with only one romantic line—which is the true ending we saw at the end. But his game was stolen by this guy named Bao Hui, who bastardized it into a harem game and published it first. Now that the original author is pursuing legal action, Bao Hui is behind bars. The original author is unwilling to re-release this ruined game, so no one can play it anymore.]

[Ah, no wonder this game had so many bugs that couldn’t be fixed no matter how many reports were sent. Turns out it wasn’t even his own game.]

[Sympathy for the original author.]

…

Inside the imperial palace of Changli.

Looking at the newly updated content on the Heavenly Book, Xie Chongjin and Lu Xuechao exchanged a glance.

The original author? Did this game have an original author?

Wasn’t this their real world? Where did an original author come from?

However, they understood one point: the game had been completely taken down in that world, and no one could ever manipulate their lives again.

They had succeeded!

“Original author… Could it be that we are still game characters?” Lu Xuechao expressed slight worry, thinking far ahead out of fear that the original author might suddenly put the game back online one day.

“Of course not. You are all real people. The so-called ‘original author’ was merely an explanation I gave to the mortals.”

Surprised, the two turned simultaneously to look at the youth who had suddenly appeared inside the palace hall.

White hair and snow-like eyes—he looked like no ordinary mortal.

Having experienced great storms, Xie Chongjin quickly calmed down: “Who might you be?”

“My name is Qi Baicha, the Snow God of the Myriad Gods Realm, a guardian of the vast worlds,” the white-haired youth introduced himself politely. “I have come specifically to resolve your doubts.”

Under Qi Baicha’s explanation, Xie Chongjin and Lu Xuechao gradually understood everything.

There existed vast worlds across the cosmos, each being an independent and real world, and every small world would nurture a deity to guard its domain. Above the three thousand small worlds rested the Myriad Gods Realm, where several chief gods stood at the head of all deities. This Snow God was one of those chief gods.

While deities were mostly embodiments of justice, evil existed among them as well. The deity Li Jin had lusted for power, attempting to become a chief god and command all deities. Lacking sufficient cultivation, he resorted to dark methods, creating various systems to plunder the realm luck of small worlds to strengthen himself, causing turmoil across the cosmos.

Li Jin had already been slain by Chief God Yan Zhao, but the damage he wrought could not be restored instantly. Thus, the Time-Space Management Bureau under the Chief God’s jurisdiction had been traveling between small worlds to repair various breached loopholes.

Their world was one of those damaged worlds. Because their realm luck was potent, they were targeted, having their destinies altered and arbitrarily manipulated—as long as their willpower collapsed, the luck on their bodies would scatter.

“Among all the children of destiny, you two possessed the most steadfast and clear willpower,” Qi Baicha said gently. “Reincarnating through endless cycles, you held on through it all, buying enough time to await the hints from the Heavenly Book.”

“Aren’t you a god?” Xie Chongjin stared at him, his heart full of anger. “Why didn’t you come earlier?!”

How could he not be angry?

In moments of despair, he had prayed to the gods countless times, yet received no signs. If a god had descended earlier, how could Qingshu have suffered so much pain?

Qi Baicha shook his head: “Gods love all living beings, yet all living beings suffer; even gods find it difficult to save everyone.”

By logic, agents from the Time-Space Management Bureau should have arrived to rescue them, but the number of small worlds suffering destruction was beyond count. Countless children of destiny had already seen their luck collapse and their worlds fall; their situation wasn’t even the most severe. The bureau was severely understaffed and couldn’t attend to them in time, only managing to drop a Heavenly Book as a hint to let them save themselves.

After assuming the post of Chief God, Qi Baicha hadn’t enjoyed a single moment of leisure, constantly on the road to save various worlds. He had just repaired a world riddled with holes before finally being able to tend to this one.

Though it seemed his help was no longer needed.

These two had already reshaped the destiny of their entire world by themselves.

Xie Chongjin calmed down, his anger abating slightly.

He was also the ruler of a nation; he too wished to govern every corner, yet often lacked the capacity to do so.

Since this person was a Chief God overseeing vast worlds, losing sight of one place or another was understandable.

Lu Xuechao spoke up with clear logic: “You are a Chief God, overseeing the vast worlds under your jurisdiction, so it is unavoidable that some places go unattended. However, you mentioned earlier that every small world has its own guardian deity… Where is ours?”

Lu Xuechao’s ability to grasp the key point was always exceptional.

Qi Baicha looked at him with appreciation: “That is precisely what I was about to say.”

“A guardian deity requires a vast amount of time to be nurtured. Your world is still too young and has not yet birthed a guardian deity, which is why it lacked divine protection when suffering this calamity,” Qi Baicha explained.

“However, if there are no gods, someone will naturally stand up.”

“You two saved the world and altered your destinies, keeping this world from collapsing. Are you not the guardian deities of this domain?” Qi Baicha said with a smile. “Already blessed with realm luck, tempered into steel through a hundred trials, and now cloaked in golden light of virtue… After this lifetime, you shall become true guardian deities.”

“Baicha thanks you both for saving the living beings from peril. Until your divine ascension a hundred years from now, we shall meet again.” The white-haired youth bowed, offering a solemn half-courtesy before turning into a flurry of snow and dissipating, as if he had never been there.

Xie Chongjin paused, speaking suddenly: “Did he mean… we will become deities?”

Lu Xuechao smiled faintly: “How many people throughout history have pursued immortality and godhood? What, are you very happy?”

“Naturally happy,” Xie Chongjin said immediately.

He added: “What makes me happy isn’t becoming an immortal. I simply feel that my endless past time was spent owing you, something I could never make up for in a single lifetime.”

“If I gain eternal life, I will have endless time to love you, overriding all past regrets.”

“How could that not make me happy?”

Lu Xuechao remarked: “Seeing me every single day, you might grow tired of me.”

Xie Chongjin didn’t answer directly, asking instead: “What about Qingshu? Seeing me every single day, would Qingshu grow tired of me?”

Lu Xuechao reservedly remained silent.

Just as Xie Chongjin thought he wouldn’t get an answer, he heard his Qingshu say—

“How could I? Huaiyun is my Xiang Jian Huan—my true joy of meeting.”