Chapter 1: The smoke of wolves rises, so the country is far away (Part 1)

My name is Li Luoyao, but many people call me Qingyuan. Over time, I became known as Qingyuan, and my real name was forgotten by everyone.

In the year I was born, it was said that a giant blue kite flew over the capital and disappeared into the sky. They said I was a celestial being, and even the renowned diviner Xuanji came to the palace to divine for me.

The divination was said to be very auspicious, stating that Princess Li Luoyao was a celestial being, and whoever possessed her would possess the world.

My father was overjoyed and treated me like a treasure. On my fifth birthday, he personally bestowed upon me the title of Princess Qingyuan.

On that day, there was a nationwide celebration. The people were very happy because they believed that the princess born under the sign of the kite was an auspicious omen for the Tang Dynasty, heralding a future of peace and prosperity.

However, only I knew that Xuanji's divination was not as favorable as they believed.

I saw the elderly Xuanji looking at me with eyes that seemed to see through the world, quietly assessing my ignorance.

Amidst the nationwide celebration, he whispered in my ear:

"Qingyuan, Qingyuan, destined to be alone in this life, so your fate is cursed by the heavens.

Born to be estranged from kin,

To live a lonely life until old age.

- Princess Qingyuan of the Tang Dynasty, Li Luoyao.

"The green silk collar, the lingering of my heart, even if I do not go, will you not miss me..."

The clear and melodious singing voice drifted with the wind, echoing in the dark blue sky, as if it were a celestial melody descending from the heavens.

If someone were to look up at that moment, they would surely see a young woman in white sitting high on a tower, facing the solemn world with a tranquil demeanor.

...

Kill!

The earth trembled, as if the heavens and the earth were about to collapse. In the distance, the armies of black and blue clashed like two giant dragons, emitting earth-shattering cries of battle. In an instant, the black and blue dragons entwined, splattering the landscape with a crimson hue.

The once beautiful land was easily engulfed by the smoke and chaos of war.

The war drums beat, and the banners fluttered. The black army, like a ferocious black dragon, broke through the blue barrier and advanced menacingly, covering half the distance in just half an hour. The area beneath the tower had become a bloody hell. It opened its maw, waiting to devour more and more lives.

The young woman in white sitting on the tower, however, continued to sing softly, her eyes calm and undisturbed.

Victory and defeat were unfolding in this battle.

Victory would bring a hundred years of peace and prosperity to the vast land behind her.

Defeat would spread the flames of war, and the glory of the "Li Tang" surname would be lost forever.

The earth trembled, and the accumulated dust on the city walls seemed to be on the verge of collapse. Yet the young woman in white continued to watch the bloody battle without flinching, humming an ancient tune.

Clear singing, billowing smoke, white attire, crimson blood - such an eerie scene existed between heaven and earth.

"Sister, Qier is scared."

The young boy beside the woman in white raised his head, his delicate face filled with fear and unease.

The woman in white lowered her head and smiled gently at him, her pitch-black eyes filled with boundless tenderness. "Qier, be good. We will reunite with Father soon."

The young boy nodded, seemingly understanding.

But in an instant, a furious shout came from behind the siblings: "Princess Qingyuan, hand over the Crown Prince! We will spare your life!"

This voice frightened the young boy. He threw himself into the arms of the woman in white, crying loudly. The tenderness in the woman's eyes turned into an endless coldness, piercing through the group of people standing five or six yards away.

They were all clad in armor, swords drawn, their faces filled with fear and greed.

They were the soldiers of the Tang Dynasty, her subjects, but at this moment, they were pointing their swords at her.

"Princess Qingyuan! Hand over the Crown Prince! If you don't, your head will be on the city gate!"

"Hand him over!"

They shouted and cursed, but everyone could hear their fear and dread of death.

The black dragon on the battlefield was like a relentless tide, continuously washing over the blue forces. Even those who did not understand the situation could tell that the blue side was losing.

Blue, the Tang Dynasty.

Black, the Liang Dynasty.

In times of chaos, the world changes. The Central Plains have seen the rise and fall of ten kingdoms, with dynasties changing so rapidly that historians can barely keep up. And now, on this day, is the glorious Tang dynasty, which has struggled to survive for nearly fifty years in this tumultuous era, also destined to disappear from this land? Is the descendant of the prosperous Tang dynasty about to perish in this way?

She gazed at the increasingly distant clear sky amidst the billowing smoke and sighed deeply.

Is it truly beyond redemption?

"Alright, I won't dream anymore," Qingyuan turned around and smiled faintly at the group of bewildered and terrified seven-foot-tall men.

Her smile was like a beam of light, instantly illuminating the misty horizon. Everyone's hearts skipped a beat. They all knew of the renowned reputation of this woman, but at this moment, they suddenly felt that the woman before them was not human, but a celestial being.

She was the immortal goddess who descended from the heavens!

At this moment, not a sound could be heard on the city walls. Apart from the distant roar, all eyes were fixed on the graceful figure in white on the city wall.

Qingyuan whispered to the young boy beside her, "Qier, close your eyes. Father will come to take us away soon."

"Really?" The young boy, tears in his eyes, asked innocently.

"Yes, when has big sister ever lied to you?" She smiled faintly and covered his eyes.

She slowly closed her eyelids, and a tear finally fell amidst the swirling dust of battle.

"Will big sister take me with her?" The young boy leaned into her embrace, his voice filled with boundless trust.

"Yes." She held him tightly and slowly stood up.