Chapter 21

As he felt the murderous intent radiating from Chu Tianhe, Liu Hongyue’s expression grew equally dark as she spoke, “No matter how powerful a person may be, as long as he possesses a weakness, there are means to restrain him. In the past, it was Chu Yunlong; now, it is Chu Tianhe. This little girl is Chu Tianhe’s weakness.”

“Are these the exact words of the Six Hall Masters?” Chu Tianhe demanded in a harsh voice.

“Yes!” Liu Hongyue quickly nodded and continued, “The Six Halls conferred and agreed that if the Hall Master insists on acting independently, choosing to hide here in Jiangzhou beyond their surveillance, it is not entirely unthinkable.”

“However… you must wear this, and at the same time… allow me to remain in Jiangzhou as the Six Halls’ eyes and ears, monitoring your every move and reporting in real time.”

As she spoke, Liu Hongyue handed Chu Tianhe a wooden box. Inside was a martial restraint bracelet forged from titanium alloy—far more effective and difficult to destroy than ordinary ones.

This was the method the Six Halls had chosen to control Chu Tianhe.

“If I refuse, will they harm my daughter?” Chu Tianhe asked, his brows tightly knit as he stared at the titanium bracelet in the box, his expression dark.

“If you refuse, then gather every War General of the Pantheon Hall at once to protect the young master, and prepare for war with the Six Halls—restart the War of Seven Kings. I will return to the Star River Hall and assassinate its master to aid you, even if it costs my life!”

It was clear Liu Hongyue had long anticipated Chu Tianhe’s decision. Her expression was resolute, already prepared for death, and her eyes shone with a chilling determination.

If Chu Tianhe refused to wear the bracelet, Liu Hongyue would be compelled to obey the Star River Hall Master’s orders: kill Chu Tianhe’s daughter and report back. Otherwise, she would not be able to account for her actions and her identity would be exposed.

Yet Liu Hongyue would never betray Chu Tianhe—nor would she ever harm his daughter.

“Star River Hall is heavily guarded. Its hall master possesses immense strength, even greater than mine. Your chance of a successful assassination is minimal. Even if you succeed, you would never escape alive—you would be doomed.”

Looking at Liu Hongyue, kneeling before him on one knee, Chu Tianhe’s eyes revealed a complex emotion. He had sent her as a spy to the Star River Hall; how could he not know the peril she faced?

Perhaps, from the moment she received this mission, Liu Hongyue had already resolved to die. By choosing to assassinate the Star River Hall Master, she was seeking a more meaningful death—hoping to exchange her life for a chance at war.

“From the moment I pledged myself to you, my life has been yours. To serve you is my wish—death holds no fear for me. I have no regrets,” Liu Hongyue declared, her resolve unshaken. Even if she failed, as long as she could wound the Star River Hall Master and lessen Chu Tianhe’s burden, it would be worth it.

“Hongyue, how many years have you followed me?”

“More than four years, my lord.”

“In all that time, have you ever seen me disregard my brothers’ lives, sending them to die for my sake?” Chu Tianhe asked with a sigh.

“Never!” Liu Hongyue’s body trembled and her eyes glistened with tears.

She knew better than anyone what kind of man Chu Tianhe was—upright and honorable, always placing loyalty first. He would never force his subordinates to sacrifice themselves for him.

“If I should reign over the world, I will share its glory with you all. If I face utter destruction, I will descend to the underworld with you as well!” Chu Tianhe looked at Liu Hongyue and said, “This is the vow I made when I founded the Pantheon Hall. Liu Hongyue, remember it well.”

“In the Pantheon Hall, there is no distinction of rank or worth. Your life and mine, Liu Hongyue, are the same—together in life, together in death.”