Monarch Night

Even accompanied by various beatings and scoldings, it was strict to an exasperating degree.

Ye Meng found it unbearable.

But she truly understood why, during her childhood, those wolf-like, tiger-hearted instructors were more severe and torturous to girls than boys—the real reason and intention behind it.

Because these old Jianghu veterans knew that women and men are different. On the battlefield, in a broad sense, once you’re on it, you’re a soldier, an enemy, treated equally.

But in reality, this is absolutely not the case, especially when forced into a desperate situation—it becomes even more distinct.

The treatment for captured men and women is even more different!

Women, having chosen this path, have to face far greater dangers than men!

So their training of girls was harsher, even to the point of cruelty; this was to ensure that later on, these girls would remember, become stronger, and better handle the various crises in their lives!

Some hidden grievances from childhood quietly dissipated.

"When I get the chance to go back, I must properly thank those instructors from back then. Buy them more wine to drink...and say a heartfelt thank you to them."

Ye Meng decided in her heart.

While the training was ongoing, Qi Lie and Han Baiji had already begun preparing for Zuo Guanglie and Ju Xiu Shui’s burial together.

Although no one was left at home, after all, they were two families, two Guardian Halls.

It was equivalent to the union of two Guardian Halls.

Although such joint burial should not be flaunted nor made widely known, needing to be conducted in relative secrecy, the two Guardian Halls still performed it with the highest ceremonial standards.

One side marries off a daughter, the other welcomes a bride.

Fang Che and Ye Meng, as representatives of a loving couple, each held Zuo Guanglie and Ju Xiu Shui’s spirit tablets.

The Baixiang Continent Guardian Hall experts were dressed in full black uniforms, escorting all the way.

Baiyun State Guardian Hall’s Song Yidao personally led the hall experts to meet them halfway.

All the way to the West Mountain Cemetery burial.

The two were buried together, resting in peace.

The tombstone was changed to: "Grave of Zuo Guanglie and Ju Xiu Shui, husband and wife."

Everyone bowed deeply, faces solemn, expressing blessings for the bitter fate couple in their afterlife.

Everyone left.

Fang Che sat alone in front of the tombstone, silently drinking a jar of wine. Watching red and white flowers dance and drift in the cemetery, his gaze was unfocused, lost in thought.

That night.

Fang Che had a dream.

He hadn’t dreamt for a long time; martial artists rarely sleep deeply.

But this time, the dream was unusually vivid.

He dreamt of a wedding scene, Zuo Guanglie wearing a bright red wedding robe, beside him Ju Xiu Shui smiling brightly, with Ren Chang, Tang Zheng, and other brothers as masters of ceremonies, receiving guests, and attendees. The scene was lively.

Fang Che sat at a table, surrounded by vague figures lifting cups and toasting.

In a daze.

Zuo Guanglie and Ju Xiu Shui came to him to toast.

Zuo Guanglie, grinning broadly with a hint of guilt, hugged Fang Che and sighed: "Mr. Fang, it hasn’t been easy for you, has it?"

Fang Che was stunned.

Suddenly, an overwhelming sadness surged within him, rendering him speechless.

Zuo Guanglie raised his glass:

"Mr. Fang, today, thank you!"

"Xiu Shui and I toast you! Thank you for your support!"

Ju Xiu Shui’s smile was radiant, still as heroic as ever, set off by the red robe, she was even more dazzling, lifting her glass and saying: "Mr. Fang, thank you!"

Fang Che raised his glass, emotions surging, senses overwhelmed, staring blankly at them.

Zuo Guanglie, seeing Fang Che’s expression, burst into laughter, hugged Fang Che’s shoulders, and whispered in Fang Che’s ear: "Actually, the brothers all know. Mr. Fang, you are truly remarkable... I said, you’ve always been the person I admire the most!"

Other brothers also came one after another, their smiles sincere, with Ren Chang and Tang Zheng coaxing on the side, raising their glasses.

"Mr. Fang, today we toast you!"

"No regrets among us!"

"Do not worry about us!"

"You bear heavy responsibilities, carry a great burden, you’re suffering more. Mr. Fang, please down this cup. You will always be our most respected Mr. Fang!"

"..."

The night deepened.

Ye Meng, who had already gone to sleep, suddenly felt something amiss, quietly opened her eyes to look.

Only to see Fang Che, sleeping beside her, was very rarely softly snoring; his lips tightly closed, yet from the corners of his eyes, two streaks of tear stains were continuously spreading.

Tears flowed silently from Fang Che’s sleeping eyes.

Soundlessly soaking the pillow.

Then, she saw Fang Che slightly twitch his lips, actually revealing a smile that seemed like crying.

His eyes closed, in his sleep, he clearly said: "Good wine!!"