Published: March 7, 2025
Chapter 397: She is Unique!
“Friend… friend, huh?” Tie Butian's voice was low, filled with a sense of bewilderment. He then chuckled lightly, “In my life, to have a friend like Chu Imperial Seat is indeed unforgettable. Throughout the ages, how many emperors have had the fortune of having a true friend in their lifetime?”
“Your majesty is right.” Chu Yang laughed heartily, “In fact, it’s not just emperors; even ordinary people don’t have many true friends in their lives. Some may even go their entire lives without anyone treating them sincerely, nor do they treat anyone sincerely. Such people are truly more pitiful than emperors.”
“Haha…” Tie Butian laughed sincerely, saying, “It seems Chu Imperial Seat thinks that emperors are quite pitiful.”
“They are indeed pitiful.” Chu Yang said earnestly, “High places are often lonely; being on that throne and accepting the glory of the supreme being of the mortal realm inevitably leads to a lifetime of solitude and loneliness!”
As soon as these words were spoken, Tie Butian fell silent. After a long moment, a long sigh emerged from the carriage, and a faint, barely audible voice murmured, “Emperor… lonely… lonely… friend… hehe…”
The two shadows also sighed, their sounds ambiguous, leaving it unclear whether they lamented for themselves or for others, filled with complex meanings.
Inside another carriage, Tie Butian stared blankly at the top of the carriage, without moving his eyes for a long time.
Friend! Hehe, friend! … Not bad at all.
You fought through countless battles for me, devised countless strategies for me, slaughtered fiercely for me, risked your life for me… so it turns out you consider me a friend.
I twisted my heart for you, deeply rooted my feelings for you, worried and feared for you, risked everything for you, sacrificed my innocence for you, I… did everything I could, gave my all, even including the country and state… turns out we are… friends!
A sour and bitter feeling surged within Tie Butian; at this moment, he had an overwhelming urge to cry out loud. The bitterness and despair made him wish he could draw his longsword and end his life right in front of Chu Yang.
Yet, he still managed to suppress his nearly uncontrollable emotions, taking deep breaths. Tears, however, flowed silently like pearls on a broken string…
Sigh, why am I crying again? Didn't I just say I wouldn't shed tears anymore? Why am I crying now?
Tie Butian, you really are useless…
Friend…
Just a friend…
This statement from Chu Yang set the tone between the two.
Finally, Tie Butian smiled slightly; a friend… that’s not bad! As he said, throughout history, how many emperors have had friends? As Chu Yang mentioned, even among ordinary people, how many truly have sincere friends?
“Hehe, this time, the distance back to the fortress may have to wait until the conclusion of this battle. There’s still plenty of time…” Tie Butian smiled and said, “Chu Imperial Seat might as well share some of your own stories to help ease this lonely journey, how about it?”
“Journey?” Chu Yang chuckled, “Your majesty seems to be rather relaxed; do you really not care at all about this battle that concerns the fate of both nations?”
“Care… and what of it?” Tie Butian laughed, “What needs to be done has been done. As for what remains, whether win or lose, I can accept. I’m anxious, but even if I weren’t, it would still be the same. Why bother worrying about it?”
“Your majesty is truly magnanimous!” Chu Yang looked at him with respect. For an emperor to have such a mindset is indeed rare!
“Hahaha…” Tie Butian laughed with satisfaction.
“What does your majesty wish to hear?” Chu Yang asked.
“Since we are friends, then it’s not quite fitting for you to keep addressing me as your majesty.” Tie Butian smiled.
What neither of them noticed was that every time Tie Butian and Chu Yang mentioned the word “friend,” the expressions and gazes of the two shadows suddenly displayed a strange complexity, difficult to articulate.