In Zhao Xuanxin’s view, even giving Yun Yi three months to break through would be asking too much. No matter how talented or hardworking someone was, it was impossible to achieve such a breakthrough so quickly.

  But now, knowing Solon as well as he did, Zhao Xuanxin was certain Solon wouldn’t joke about something like this, especially not at a time like this.

  Yun Yi immediately responded, "Yes, Uncle Solon. I just broke through an hour ago."

  "He really broke through..." Zhao Xuanxin stared at Yun Yi in astonishment. It seemed as if miracles always happened around this young man.

  "It’s fate..." Solon’s face broke into a relieved smile. "Alright, Yun Yi, I’m entrusting the princess to you. I will stay by Her Majesty’s side forever."

  Hearing this, the queen, Zhao Xuanxin, and Yun Yi all opened their mouths to speak, but Solon cut them off. "No need to say anything. You’ve all seen it for yourselves. Yun Yi has successfully broken through to the mid-level of the eighth stage. His strength far surpasses mine now. And in the past few months, I’ve already taught him everything I know. Though he’s still young, I believe it won’t be long before he achieves something that will astonish the world. Entrusting this mission to Yun Yi is far more suitable than giving it to me!"

  The queen and Zhao Xuanxin fell silent, saying nothing.

  Yun Yi, full of confusion, couldn’t help but ask, "Um... what exactly is the mission?"

  "Ah..." Zhao Xuanxin sighed. "I think you’ve already seen the situation. Somehow, the government forces have discovered the location of our base and are launching a full-scale attack. The empire’s last fleet has been completely annihilated. Even with the royal fleet and the base’s defenses, we won’t be able to hold off the government’s massive forces."

  Yun Yi nodded numbly. The base had no strength left to resist the government’s assault. Even if he were to break through to the innate level right now, facing nearly ten thousand warships would be an impossible task.

  "So, to preserve the last trace of the Zhao Song Empire’s bloodline, our original plan was to have Solon take the princess and flee the country before the government forces arrive. But as you can see now... Solon has given this only chance of survival to you."

  "This..." Yun Yi was shocked, but he quickly regained his composure. He turned and strode toward the door, not looking back as he said, "Lord Zhao, I’ll go prepare my mecha and report to the Phoenix Sky..."

  "Stop right there!"

  Yun Yi froze in his tracks, his eyes already moist.

  "Do you think what you’re doing is brave? That dying heroically is something to be proud of? That perishing under the government’s artillery fire is honorable?"

  "Coward! Yes, death takes courage. But what takes even more courage is to face an insurmountable enemy, to laugh in the face of billions of foes, and to live on proudly and bravely, waiting for the moment to strike back when the enemy least expects it! That’s what a true hero is, Yun Yi. Do you have the guts?"

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  Listening to Solon’s mocking tone, Yun Yi could no longer hold back his tears.

  Stimulated by the necklace, his intelligence and analytical abilities had long surpassed those of ordinary people. How could he not see that this was just Solon’s way of provoking him? But the determination and willingness to sacrifice in Solon’s voice made Yun Yi’s heart tremble, and he couldn’t bear to refuse.

  Seeing Yun Yi stop in his tracks and remain motionless after Solon’s words, Zhao Xuanxin knew that he was more or less willing to accept the mission.

  Then, Zhao Xuanxin pulled the little girl to his side, gently stroking her long, dark hair that reached her calves. His face was full of kindness as he said, "Yun Yi, come here. This is Princess Xiyue. Get to know each other. Xiyue, this is Yun Yi. You must listen to him from now on, okay?"

  Princess Xiyue opened her large, bright black eyes and looked curiously at the young man in front of her. In a sweet voice, she said, "Hello, Yun Yi. Will you play with Xiyue?"

  "...Big brother, play with me..."

  The sweet voice of his little sister seemed to echo in Yun Yi’s ears. His body swayed as if he wanted to turn back. At this moment, his heart was torn between choosing to face death or to escape.

  Seeing that Yun Yi hadn’t moved, Zhao Xuanxin sighed, walked over to him, and pulled him in front of the little girl. "The existence of Princess Xiyue has been a secret throughout the entire base. Apart from the four of us, no one else knows about her."

  Hearing Zhao Xuanxin’s words, Yun Yi was stunned. No wonder he hadn’t known about the princess’s existence. It turned out that the queen and Zhao Xuanxin had kept it a secret from everyone. Did that mean this child had only ever seen these three people in her life?

  There weren’t many palace maids, and none had been killed to keep the secret. That meant the queen herself had been taking care of this child all along.

  "Yun Yi, will you play with Xiyue?"

  The innocent voice rang in his ears. Seeing the little girl’s pitiful, hopeful gaze, Yun Yi’s heartstrings were plucked. This poor child was even more pitiful than he had been. At least he had had parents, relatives, friends, and classmates to play with before he was eight. After that, he had been cared for by the Restoration Army soldiers and had children his own age to be with. He had never felt lonely.

  If his little sister were still alive, would she be as lonely as this girl?

  At this moment, what choice did he have?

  Yun Yi suddenly raised his head and said loudly, "I accept this mission! Tell me what I need to do!"

  The queen, Zhao Xuanxin, and Solon all smiled. But in Yun Yi’s eyes, those smiles looked more like bitter, forced grins.

  The queen was reluctant to part with her daughter. As she removed a necklace from her slender neck and placed it around Princess Xiyue’s neck, she held her tightly, tears streaming down her face as she spoke. Though Xiyue didn’t fully understand her mother’s words, she listened attentively. Seeing her mother’s tears, she began to cry as well.

  Meanwhile, Zhao Xuanxin was handing over some items to Yun Yi.

  "This is the royal genealogy of the Zhao Song Empire. This is the imperial seal. This is the scepter symbolizing the throne. This is... I hope you can keep these safe and give them to Princess Xiyue when she grows up. Additionally..."

  After handing over a pile of items, Zhao Xuanxin hesitated but still said, "I need you to swear that no matter what happens, no matter the circumstances, you will never abandon Princess Xiyue and will raise her to adulthood."

  Yun Yi didn’t hesitate to make the vow. To him, the Zhao Song Empire had given him everything. Even if it meant facing death, he would march forward without fear. How could he be afraid of a mere oath?

  "You also need to swear..." This time, Zhao Xuanxin’s expression was stern, his voice harsh. "I need you to swear that you will devote your life to overthrowing the Iserlohn government, to killing its president, Zagu, and to reestablishing the Zhao Song Empire with Princess Xiyue or her descendants as its emperor!"