Chapter 632: Friendship, Love
There had once been a man of utmost importance in Hua Qinglian’s life. A brother. Not by blood, but by bond.
They trained under the same master, cultivated together, traveled the world side by side, and joined the government together. In their youth, they had shared a vow, and in adulthood, fulfilled it together. Time and again, they fought side by side on the battlefield, entrusting their backs to each other without hesitation.
They had shared the same bed, sleeping back-to-back. Music, chess, calligraphy, poetry, wine, and flowers—even their passions were the same. Both had once been hailed as peerless prodigies, the Twin Jewels of Great Xia, who had dazzled an entire era.
Finding a true confidant in life was rare. Hua Qinglian considered himself fortunate to have had such a bond forged from childhood. It had carried them forward as they devoted themselves to protecting Great Xia until death.
One walked in the light, the other in the shadows. Together, they slayed star beasts and vanquished enemies. They were unstoppable.
Hua Qinglian, standing in the open, had climbed step by step to the highest rank of honor until he became one of Great Xia’s Grand Commanders. But the one in the shadows had never stood in the spotlight. His name had never appeared in public records.
He once said, "Little Hua, I am your shadow."
He once said, "If only one of us can receive the people's cheers, I hope that person is you."
He once said, "Someone must carry the burden in the darkness."
He once said, "Being a Grand Commander is troublesome. I have no interest in it. I'd rather stay behind the scenes... But if you ever need me, I will always be here."
He had said many things. And he had kept every single promise. He was always a man of his word. Until one day, he had never returned from a secret mission to Yiggs. He had vanished completely from this world.