You're Strong But Now You're Mine-Chapter 563 - 561: Loyalist IF · Le Yin’s Funeral (End)

"Hey, where am I? It's so dark, so narrow!"

"Why am I being locked up here? I'm the Sword Holder Qian Yuya, the third scribe of White Night, the Patriarch of the Qin Family in Yanjing, and the Vice Principal of the Royal Academy! Who has the guts to play such a prank on me? Let me out, let me out!"

Many couldn't help but stand up. Li Ying wiped her tear-filled eyes and blurted out, "Is it possible he's not dead yet?"

"Nonsense, of course I'm not dead. Even if all of you died, I wouldn't! The voice from the coffin was full of energy, thumping the lid again, "You're rebelling, let me out quickly or don't make me angry, or I'll finish you all when I get out!"

Upon hearing the person in the coffin could even talk, many in the hall turned pale, some with fear, some with joy, some with humor, and some with anger. Clearly, most believed it.

Li Ying and Kui Nianruo were already standing up, ready to walk over, but they were stopped by Qian Yuya and Lin Xue. Shi Wen and Dan Chixia initially wanted to rush over, but they too were held back by Lai Ya.

Though the incident was incredibly shocking and unprecedented, something no novel would dare to concoct nor any legend dare to tell, everyone quickly calmed down — because they noticed others were calm.

More importantly, Tea Huan, the closest to the coffin, showed no movement, only calmly watching the coffin.

No one could see the old man's expression at this moment.

"Why haven't you let me out yet? Well, I knew you all couldn't wait to see me dead. Alas, the world is fickle, human kindness turns cold, my heart has turned icy..."

"...Hmph, but it's no matter, after all, I dislike being some Vice Prime Minister anyway. Saying it's dignified, but in simpler terms, it just means I don't want to take the blame."

"Old Ling, it's been tough for you these years, with all the troubles I've stirred, you've been fixing and patching. Yet everyone knows only the Vice Prime Minister's role, not the real efforts. Alas, they don't consider that I'm a young man in my twenties, though a tad smarter than Tea Huan, how could I have the capability to drive the national machinery? Without the mature and steady Vice Prime Minister to control the overall situation, how could so many miracles be created in merely five years?"

Tea Huan snorted coldly, while Ling would maintain a blank face without a word.

"But politics is such a muddled affair, outsiders can only view it in conspiratorial, simplified, and labeled terms as the ultimate game of the world's smartest people. In a few decades, perhaps all the credit for 'Shuiyun Reform' will be attributed to my brilliance, and all mistakes pinned on you, Old Ling — it seems such a tendency is already emerging."

This time, Ling Jiali finally broke his silence, bowing and saying, "Merit and blame will be spoken of by later generations, I strive to be without shame to the emperor, to the position, to the people, to the heart."

The voice from the coffin continued, "If I were just to leave like this, I'd still feel some regret in my heart, after all, I can't let go of my second brother and third sister."

Qin Yueshi was slightly moved, while Qin Yueyang's expression remained calm.

"Don't misunderstand, I don't worry about whether they'll find happiness in the future, rather whether they'll tarnish my reputation." The voice from the coffin was extremely venomous, "I've already given up on my third sister. Despite hanging dozens of capitalists in front of her, making her aware of the consequences of exploiting workers, she still feigns agreement on the surface while secretly finding loopholes to make a profit. In this respect, she's learned half of my true teachings — sincerely admitting error, resolutely refusing to change."

Qin Yueshi's face turned dark, feeling utterly uncomfortable, even thinking the Patrol and Punishment Department captain, Shi Wen, seemed to be staring closely at her.

"But in consideration that I led to the promulgation of the labor law, my third sister might restrain herself somewhat, avoiding the fate of being hung on a streetlight... But who can say, considering she's also about to marry, and if she has children, who knows if she'll use my name as a cover to earn tenfold profits."

"Although Yueyang seems honest, there's a core ferocity within him, like the lava in a volcano — as long as he doesn't erupt, it's a blossoming spring, once erupted, it's thunder and fire... though I've never seen him erupt."

"But I have an inkling that once freed from my protection, Yueyang will certainly accomplish something earth-shattering."

"Oh, but I am nailed in this coffin, what can I do about the two of them? As the saying goes, rivers and mountains may change, but one's nature is hard to alter, the blood of the Qin Family flows with that elusive Silver Blood, I only hope history can give the Qin Family a just evaluation —"

"Criticize my family, fine, but not me!"

Qin Yueshi couldn't help but cough repeatedly, as if trying to cover the sound from the coffin. Even Qin Yueyang's mouth twitched slightly, displaying rare slivers of emotion.

"I truly cannot escape the seduction of fame and fortune, still worrying my reputation might be implicated." The voice from the coffin sighed, "After all, as a good man, who wouldn't want to accomplish an enduring, eternally memorable, great affair recorded forever in history?"

"Lan Yan, Xie Chenyuan, An Ju, don't you agree?"

The crowd was immediately on edge — being named here were Admiral Lan Yan, Youyun's ruler Xie Chenyuan, and Cabinet scholar and White Night scribe An Ju!

Moreover, these three are strong and powerful, holding high positions at a young age, with limitless prospects. If nothing goes wrong, in a dozen years, they will definitely become pivotal figures, possibly those who hold sway over the court!

Some astute individuals thought further: Though White Night has turned legitimate, An Ju was ultimately a product of revolution, originally meant to rebel; forget about Lan Yan, he's already rebelled; Xie Chenyuan's reputation might be slightly better than the other two, but he rose quickly after the assassination of the Imperial Elder, wielding power like a butcher's knife, clearly a man with deep ambition.

In other words, these three are either walking the path of rebellion, secretly rebelled, or openly rebelled!

The coffin dweller's naming was well-targeted!

The atmosphere in the hall instantly grew tense, the Imperial Guards around tightened their grip on their rifles, and Yu Ke, the commander of the twelve guards, stood firmly at the entrance, blocking access.

However, the three named individuals remained composed; Lan Yan exchanged a glance with Xie Chenyuan, while Faceless remained motionless — after all, he wore a helmet concealing his expressions.

"Don't think that being nailed in this coffin I wouldn't know what you're thinking." The voice inside the coffin chuckled, "You're certainly pondering who I've entrusted with the secret to wield the Holy Sword, or rather, you're contemplating what contingency plans I've left to ensure reform continues and the world remains stable."

"I can frankly tell you, I indeed left a contingency. Like me wielding the Holy Sword as an outsider, it's not a fleeting brilliance, but a replicable miracle!"

The crowd stirred, even Ling Jiali, an old minister, showed his emotion, while Lin Xue and others suddenly stood up — with their relations to Qian Yuya, they naturally had inquired similar questions long ago, even hoping to become Qian Yuya's disciples, carrying on the legacy as the second-generation Sword Holder, to continue wielding the sword across the world, suppressing the mountains and rivers.

Back then, Qian Yuya's answer was a successive 'impossible', 'can't be done', 'farewell', regardless of their emotional appeals, sensible reasoning, or seductive persuasion, Qian Yuya staunchly denied any possibility, so they believed!

Yet now you're lying inside the coffin, telling us you were lying before?!

"After receiving my invitation, you must have been searching for the second-generation Sword Holder, right?" The coffin lid chuckled, "Did you really think that with my wisdom, I would place the legacy in a location easily accessible to you?"

"Not even my students know, my friends don't know, and not even the Qin Family knows! You might think I would entrust such power to someone or an organization I trust, but as they say, life is like chess, fate is a blade, and human hearts are unpredictable. Can I trust the same people next year? The year after? Or the year after that?"

"To wield the Holy Sword Radiance is to hold the reins of this country. Shuiyun has always been sincere to me, and it's already a pity that I can't offer myself to her. How could I leave such a gaping flaw?"

"So, who is the second-generation Sword Holder, and where are they?"

The coffin lid's smile seemed to penetrate the funeral hall: "Any guesses?"

People could almost see the charmingly wicked smile of the red-haired, white-snow gentleman that made one want to punch him.

"Of course, you might think I'm just bluffing. But for you, you'd never fight a war destined for defeat. So even if you doubt, unless someone takes the lead to validate it, you wouldn't dare to act rashly."

"So you needn't worry that this funeral is a trap to take you down with me. I can boldly predict—"

"Throughout Shuiyun's reign, you will always be the loyal subjects of Radiance!"

The lingering echoes filled the hall, and Lan Yan suddenly chuckled lightly, stood up, and bowed deeply to the coffin.

"Lan is willing to serve Radiance all his life."

Xie Chenyuan immediately followed, "Xie is willing to serve Radiance all his life."

Faceless spoke a bit more: "As long as the Imperial Family remains benevolent, White Night will be White Night for the glory."

"Ah, why does a person like me, already nailed into a coffin, still need to consider so much for you living people?" The coffin lid sighed gently, "There are talents in every generation, each leading the beauty for hundreds of years... The Sword Holder is right; I'm still too obsessed with the hero's perspective, thinking Radiance won't turn without me, but even without Qin Le Yin, is there not a Se Le Yin?"

"For me to have achieved what I have, how could it be my work alone? Here, I want to thank all the officials of Radiance and the support of White Night's travels, thank my dear Empress for her trust, thank the assistance of Chief Minister, Tea Principal and other benevolent people, thank you all!"

"So..."

"Even without me, our great cause will continue to endure."

The coffin lid chuckled, "I know you all must be wondering why I would hold this funeral. Is there some underlying scheme... No, really, there isn't! For someone nailed into a coffin, no matter how brilliant their mind, could they plot out affairs after their death better than Cha Huan?"

"I gathered you all here simply to fulfill a long-held wish of mine... That's right, to invite acquaintances I've encountered in my life to come to my funeral, and then..."

"Feign my own death to give you a scare."

"Hahaha, were you startled?" The coffin lid laughed heartily, "But inside, there's only a recorder. I specially asked Yan Yi to make it. The sound is flawless, with precise highs, sweet mids, and strong lows. Doesn't it just sound like my voice?"

Yet the crowd showed neither anger nor amusement, only a quiet sigh. Recorders and radios had already emerged two years ago, and when Cha Huan and others didn't react to the 'feigned death,' they guessed the sound from the coffin was from a recorder.

Even though Qin Le Yin made this funeral so exuberant, upon realizing Qin Le Yin was truly gone, the friends who had ties with him couldn't help but feel a bit saddened.

"But don't think I'm truly dead. If something happens that I cannot tolerate, I can still lift the coffin lid and come back." The coffin lid said softly, "This is the essence of the funeral—I eagerly await the day I can meet some of you again."

Though Qin Le Yin spoke adamantly, the crowd grew even sadder, thinking none of his claims true.

"Well, it's time to say goodbye."

Then Qin Yueyang clapped twice, and the Imperial Guard filed in from outside, handing torches to the guests in the hall.

"I'm a lazy person; I don't want to leave anything behind." The coffin lid said calmly, "No matter if I had gratitude, resentment, affection, or enmity with you in the past, now everyone take a torch, and let's erase our grievances and sever our ties."

"Principal, you go first." He said softly, "I'm sorry, even at the final hour, I have to trouble you."

"Since the day I met you, you've always been a trouble to me." Cha Huan looked at the torch in his hand, voice choked with emotion, "This is the last time."

The torch rolled a couple of times on the lid of the coffin, falling onto the straw beneath it.

"And then Lin Xue, Li Ying, Kui Nian Ruo, Qian Yuya, Qin Yueshi, Qin Yueyang... Come on, don't be shy. I know over the years you've had quite a grievance against me; this is your last chance for revenge."

Apart from Qian Yuya and Qin Yueyang, almost everyone else tossed their torches with reddened eyes and tearful faces.

"Yan Yi, Ning Xinyuan... don't delay, the happy days are few, I'm the best example."

"Shi Wen, Lai Ya, Dan Chixia... I wish you all the best, and even if not, live life as you wish, just remember, if trouble arises, don't say you're my students."

"Shuangli Palace, Qingyun Palace, Yueyan Palace... Niruo, Mie Tangya... Though perhaps not meeting through fights, your defeat was indeed the foundation of my success. You should feel proud to have fallen to me."

As one torch after another fell, the straw quickly ignited. In no time, the coffin was engulfed in flames. The blazing fire warmed the hall, prompting people to recall the life of the person in the fire—a life that, like this funeral, burned brightly for five years, warming all beings.

Soon, there was only one person left in the hall still holding a torch.

"Shuiyun." The voice from the coffin lid was now a bit distorted, "Come on."

"For Qin Le Yin and Ming Shuiyun's fate, draw a perfect conclusion."

Ming Shuiyun silently watched the burning coffin. Her expression was peaceful as she threw in the last torch.

Bang!

"Hahaha, life is like a journey against the current, and I am just a traveler..." The laughter in the flames grew clearer and louder: "Don't misunderstand, I didn't lose to the world, I just... don't feel like playing anymore for now!"

Bang!

Under the complicated gazes of everyone, this man who toyed with all of Hui Yao, calculating everyone's death, held his own funeral with such cleanliness and decisiveness.

Qin Le Yin died in the year 2089 of the Hui Yao era.

...

...

As the sun set in the west, on the vast plains, a train was speeding toward Skyrim. The whistle echoed across the fields, startling the egrets in the ponds.

In the train's premium cabin, a handsome young man was leaning against the window, gazing at the distant red clouds. The other seats in the cabin were empty, which was to be expected—the premium cabin was priced for the wealthy, so naturally, no one usually occupied it.

But differentiated pricing naturally brings differentiated services. Not only were the seats comfortable, but there was also a separate bathing cubicle, making it the best choice for long-distance travel.

Suddenly, the young man let out a soft sound, relaxing abruptly. Soon, a beautiful woman dressed in green stood up, leaning against his thigh, the orange-red light casting a hazy veil over her.

He glanced over and pointed to the corner of his mouth. The woman touched it and pulled out a twisted black hair.

She glared at the young man with mock annoyance and, while remaining alluring in her annoyance, snorted through her nose. Without saying a word, she walked to the bathing cubicle, returning shortly to sit beside the young man, showering him with kisses.

But she quickly stopped, stared straight at the young man. Being an old married couple, Le Yu didn't mind these bedroom dynamics. However, Qing Lan's gaze made Le Yu feel strange, so he asked, "What's the matter?"

"Actually, I lied."

"Where did you lie?"

"I used to tell you that as long as it's you, it doesn't matter if you're not that handsome." Qing Lan said thoughtfully, "But I think it would be better if you were a bit more handsome."

Le Yu's face darkened, turning away with a snort: "I'm sorry I don't look that handsome."

"Oh, I was just joking, why are you so serious?" Qing Lan teasingly wrapped her arms around Le Yu's neck: "Besides, you can't eat delicacies all the time; plain home cooking suits me better."

"I'm sorry for being plain home cooking!"

"I misspoke, my lord, please don't get angry. You are generous..."

"Less handsome people tend to be more petty."

"Hmph, petty man."

The two in the premium train cabin were naturally Le Yu and Qing Lan.

The body Le Yu currently used was Unit Zero—his original body.

His initial body had been long ago slit in the throat by Qian Yuliu, and was now part of nature's cycle. However, five years ago, he wielded the Holy Sword, defeating the Outer District rebels, and simultaneously completed a system challenge—to command a victory in a large-scale war, requiring more than a hundred thousand participants.

Though Le Yu didn't command, he alone defeated a hundred thousand, naturally well exceeding the challenge.

Yet the refreshed challenge was again the 'kill ten thousand' challenge, but this time Le Yu chose to accept it since he was already planning to conquer the world, to purge the old order and drive reform. After five years, he finally completed this challenge, creating a body completely customized to him through the system's power.

That body was Unit Zero.

Though outsiders believed Qin Le Yin died of old age due to wielding the Holy Sword, it was actually because Le Yu died to substitute for Unit Zero, thus Unit Four Qin Le Yin was automatically destroyed with no one to control it.

"Your funeral should be over now, right?" Qing Lan asked, holding Le Yu's arm.

"It should be over," Le Yu said. "From now on, I've cut all earthly ties, leaving only you—"

"And Her Majesty the Empress, and Qian Yuya sister," Qing Lan quickly replied. "Speaking of which, are you sure it's okay for us to leave in search of the Divine Demon Well?"

"What's wrong with that?" Le Yu feigned ignorance: "Anyway, I'm tired of playing political games, and our journey to find the Divine Demon Well was planned from the start. Why, have you fallen in love with luxury and are unwilling to travel with me?"

"But what about Her Majesty?" Qing Lan raised an eyebrow, challenging him: "Didn't you know the Imperial Family is pressuring her marriage? When you were around, everyone thought the Empress was yours, so they remained quiet. Now that you're gone and turned to ashes, do you think when we return next year we'll see Her Majesty holding a baby?"

"Is that necessarily a bad thing?"

"The bad thing is, Her Majesty now has the confidence to reject the pressure from the Imperial Family and even the Imperial Court," Qing Lan coldly replied. "The Imperial Family needs an heir, and the court needs assurances from the Palace Master... You've delayed her for five years, do you plan to hold her back forever?"

"Then tell me, what should I do?" Le Yu counter-asked.

"Why ask me?"

"Because you are my love, we share in glory and misfortune..."

"That's always how you taught me," Qing Lan said, setting Le Yu's chin with her finger. "But if it's between choosing two, don't pick me, I never settle for being someone's backup option."

"So your point is I should..." Le Yu asked tentatively: "Choose two out of two?"

"Maybe it's three out of three?" Qing Lan scoffed.

"Don't joke around, Yuya only guessed the truth through her tribulation and reckoned me as a brother, we're merely pure siblings."

"Siblings not related by blood?"

"Who says otherwise, cold blood runs through us both."

Qing Lan pursed her lips but said nothing more, snuggling closer to Le Yu, watching the sunset, the starry night.

"If we really find the Divine Demon Well, can I go home with you?" Qing Lan suddenly asked.

"With you by my side, anywhere in the world is home." Le Yu responded.

"That sounds like a beggar." Qing Lan mocked.

"No choice, we're both homeless souls." Le Yu replied.

Qing Lan chuckled then sighed, "I'm scared, my lord."

"With me here, what are you afraid of?"

"I'm afraid of aging, of dying, of becoming old beauty, and unable to stay with you forever, leaving you alone in this world." Qing Lan confessed.

"Didn't I tell you I've conducted many experiments?" Le Yu said, "With 'Substitute for Life' and 'Death without Stiffness', though not for mass use, letting three to four people achieve immortality through endless substitution isn't impossible—"

"You also learned from experiments that the soul has wear," Qing Lan quietly said. "Only you can shield your soul with 'Substitute for Life', others will suffer loss during soul transfer."

"There'll be a way," Le Yu assured, "The Book of the Dead in Western Continent, and the undead heart appearing in decades... these can control souls, maybe other Illusion Divine Weapons can also have similar powers, we will find a solution."

Le Yu hugged Qing Lan, softly comforting, "Don't worry about that distant future. Even if you won't accompany me forever, I have a lifetime to spend with you till then."

Qing Lan's head rested against his chest: "Mm."

After a moment of warmth, Le Yu suddenly remembered something, pulling out two items from his luggage.

"Speaking of which, if we don't use it now, it might become unusable, the timing is just right now."

Qing Lan curiously eyed the black square crystal and a smaller cube in Le Yu's hand: "What's this?"

"Something I brought from home, this is a phone, and this is a phone battery."

During these years, although the phone had many bumps, miraculously it hadn't been damaged much. The battery, of course, was removed early, else it'd leak and discharge. But even so, years passed, and the battery's power condition wasn't great, Le Yu held little hope.

However, once the battery was installed, Le Yu found he could actually turn it on, even spotting a 4% charge, prompting him immediately to recharge.

"Come, let's take a photo."

Qing Lan was puzzled: "But haven't we taken many photos already?"

"But those are black and white, this is a color photo, with very high definition that can capture your pores..."

"Then let me put on makeup first—"

"Don't worry, it has built-in beauty effects, it'll make you look prettier. With the phone's magic, don't I look handsomer than Qin Le Yin?"

Qing Lan glanced at the phone screen, blinked, eagerly nodded: "Yes, yes, yes, you do!"

Le Yu happily said, "Now, look at the screen, give me your best smile, one, two... three!"

As the shutter sound echoed from the otherworldly phone, their happy smiles were captured in the sunset's glow, time froze, and moments stood still.

One moment, eternal.

(Loyalist IF, END)