In terms of his situation, Nathan Ye was in grave danger. But such peril was exactly what he had been longing for. He had thought his death-seeking plan was completely thwarted, but unexpectedly, he now had a new opportunity to achieve it.
Clara Xiao mentioned the country of Luosha, and Nathan was familiar with it. Luosha was located in the northwest, and during the Tai Zu dynasty, it had been a vassal of the Da Zhou. Back then, it offered annual tributes, visiting the court humbly and submissively. But as the Da Zhou weakened and chaos spread across the Nine Regions, Luosha, once compliant, began to show its true ambitions. Around a thousand years ago, it officially broke free from Da Zhou's dominance.
After severing its vassal ties, Luosha had a series of brilliant rulers who adopted Zhou culture and arts, recruiting scholars from Zhou with promises of high ranks and wealth, gradually enhancing Luosha's strength. Recently, Luosha had grown increasingly provocative, frequently causing skirmishes along the border, attempting to annex Zhou territory. And while the Da Zhou was preoccupied with internal strife, unable to defend its borders, Luosha's audacity only grew.
Luosha's arrogance was no secret, but Nathan was shocked at just how brazen they had become. It went so far as to infiltrate the Zhou capital with spies. Clara Xiao, a beauty who enchanted countless people in the capital, turned out to be one of Luosha's pawns.
And now, how many people had Clara Xiao contacted? How many had fallen for her charms? The scale of Luosha's espionage network, with Clara at its center, might be unimaginable.
"As they say, 'When a nation falls behind, it will be bullied,' even a tiny country like Luosha wants to take a bite out of the Da Zhou," Nathan thought, with both lament and excitement. If he hadn't been bound by Clara's powers at the moment, he would have been trembling with exhilaration.
The larger Luosha's network was, the more it confirmed that Nathan, now privy to such critical intelligence, would never be allowed to leave alive! There was only one choice for him—submit or die. Nothing else was possible. But for Nathan, the choice was obvious.
Nathan's words of defiance didn't anger Clara; rather, she felt deeply moved. "He truly fears no death. He's not putting on an act; wealth, status, and beauty can't shake his resolve." In Clara's eyes, Nathan's stature rose even higher, and her killing intent grew more intense, practically dripping from her gaze.
"Lord Nathan, this is my final offer. I truly cherish your talent, which is why I've told you all of this."
Enough talk. Just kill me! Nathan silently thought.
"True warriors do not seek to avoid death; honorable men will not compromise to live," Nathan declared, standing tall with pride.
His performance was flawless; Clara believed him, her eyes even welling up.
It is only in times of crisis that one sees a person's true nature. When the Da Zhou was strong, everyone flattered it; now that it was in decline, those same people abandoned it as fast as they could. Over the years, as the master of the Zhou's Espionage Division, Clara had witnessed the despicable, shameless people of the world, so many that she had become numb, even doubting humanity itself. Until she met Nathan.
The righteousness shining from him touched her deeply. She had intended to end the conversation here, but couldn't help voicing her confusion.
"Why are you so resolute? Other scholars surrendered and compromised, scattered like rats from a sinking ship. Isn't that just human nature? What allows you to stand so firm, unwilling to yield or compromise?"
Hearing this, Nathan fell even deeper into character. He thought of the traitors in Chinese history—those who betrayed their nation and people, yet shamelessly justified their cowardice.
"Miss Clara, you are also a Zhou native. Though you serve Luosha, you cannot change the Zhou blood flowing through you. With that, let me leave you with these words: 'Villainy is the passport of villains; nobility is the epitaph of the noble.' Excuses are mere masks that cannot cover the pettiness within."
Nathan took a deep breath and continued, "The Da Zhou has always had few defeated heroes, few who resist with fortitude, few warriors who dare to stand alone in the fight, few mourners who decry the traitors; at the sight of victory, they all flock; at the hint of defeat, they flee."
"But I am different," he said firmly. "I believe this: what doesn't kill me will only make me stronger! And if I truly die, my spirit will carry on, undying."
"Go ahead; I will never yield."
With that, Nathan readied himself to face death. He believed that after saying this, he was certain to die.
However, to his surprise, Clara released her hold on him. She looked down and said, "Everyone saw you enter my room, so I cannot kill you here. But the wine you drank was poisoned. If you don't take the antidote within three days, you will surely die. If you change your mind, come find me."
With a wave of her hand, a powerful force pushed Nathan out of the room, hurriedly and abruptly. In reality, she was concealing the tears in her eyes, afraid he would notice.
No one could understand Nathan's words better than she could. She was the leader of the Espionage Division, the top courtesan of the Spring Wind Tower, the dream of countless men, and a practitioner with formidable power. Yet, above all, she was a daughter of the Da Zhou. If she did not love her homeland, why would she conceal her identity and walk into the brothel's shadow? But her path of loyalty had been so lonely.
From ancient times, those who stand firm have always been far outnumbered by those who waver. She had thought she had grown accustomed, that she had hardened her heart to steel, that nothing in this world could move her. But today, Nathan's righteous light shattered that steel heart into pieces.
"He is a kindred spirit, yet so different from me. He was born to stand in the light, guiding others, a banner, a beacon, the spiritual symbol of the Da Zhou," Clara smiled, her face serene. "As for me, I'm meant to dwell in the shadows."
Lila entered the room, her face full of concern as she looked at Clara, who was both crying and laughing.
"What did that scoundrel say to you?" she muttered. It was hard for her to reconcile with this version of Clara, someone so open and vulnerable.
"Go, gather the best agents. Assign them to protect Nathan Ye's safety, and if necessary, sacrifice themselves for him," Clara took a deep breath, her tone deadly serious.
"Nathan Ye must not die!"
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