Chapter 2654

Yan Xibei finally realized that his path had gone astray. He had stolen Zhu Zhibin’s destiny. Originally, he was meant to be a cultivator, but his ambition caused their lives to swap. He became the emperor of the mortal realm, while Zhu Zhibin became a cultivator.

"How is Uncle Zhibin now?" Yan Xibei asked. He owed Zhu Zhibin, but he could never repay him.

"Since your lives have swapped, your paths are different. You are an emperor; he is a cultivator. You will be born into imperial families for countless lifetimes. Unless you become a ruler who loses his country or commit heinous acts that turn your nation from prosperity to decline, your path as a king will continue.

As for Zhu Zhibin, since he is a cultivator, he must bear the responsibilities of one. Since you became emperor, the Strategist Alliance no longer needs you as its leader. Zhu Zhibin has joined the Strategist Alliance and is already a prominent figure there. He will eventually become its leader. Your paths will never cross again."

Yan Aohan looked at Yan Xibei. "Do you have any other questions?"

"Why didn't you and Mom tell me this back then?" Yan Xibei asked his final question, the one weighing heaviest on his heart.

Yan Aohan remained silent. Zhu Yanyi spoke up. "Because you lacked talent and spiritual roots."

Zhu Yanyi answered seriously. "When you were sent here, you could be sent out safely precisely because you lacked talent and spiritual roots. You could not cultivate normally. I had originally planned to send you to the Pool of Reincarnation after your death to cultivate talent and spiritual roots suitable for you.

My medical skills had improved, allowing me to cultivate talent and spiritual roots far superior to the best grade. But since you chose the path of the emperor, that plan was no longer necessary for you."

Yan Xibei smiled bitterly. "So, my current lonely position is my own fault."

"Yes." Zhu Yanyi nodded seriously. "You wanted to be emperor, so you had to pay the price. You were not the true Son of Heaven. You stole the True Dragon Kingly Aura from Zhibin. Therefore, you must pay the price.

You harmed Zhibin and gained the Kingly Aura. To maintain peace in the mortal realm, the Heavenly Dao had to accept this. But the Heavenly Dao also punished you. This punishment is your destined loneliness.

It is not just this life; it will be so in every future life. As long as you sit on that throne, you are destined to be alone.

However, your talent for governing is indeed good. At least after your death, you will be regarded as a wise ruler. This is your glory and your karmic merit. By being a wise ruler for one life, you gain karmic merit for that life. This karmic merit supports you to continue being a ruler in the next life. This cycle is your future fate."

Yan Xibei had calmed down. "Can it not be changed?"

Zhu Yanyi sighed. "You must reap what you sow. However, the Heavenly Dao is not entirely heartless. The Great Expansion number is fifty, but only forty-nine are used. Every matter seems absolute, yet leaves a thread of hope.

If you do not wish to be lonely, you must find someone you truly love, not betray her, and make a life-and-death contract. Then you can break this curse. But in each reincarnation, you will not remember your past life. So even if I tell you now, you may not be able to find your true love."

Yan Xibei listened to Zhu Yanyi, pondered deeply for a moment, then said, "Since there is hope, I will not give up. The worst outcome is still being lonely."

Yan Xibei was truly a hero. Knowing some things could not be reversed, he quickly accepted this reality.

When he learned he could have been a cultivator, he had regretted it. But the path was his choice. Having chosen the path of the emperor, he could not regret it now. He had to taste the wine he brewed himself, regardless of its flavor. Whether it was good or bad was up to him.

Being an emperor was bitter, but at least his fate was in his own hands. So, even though he felt lonely as an emperor, he would continue, because it was his own choice.

"Is there anything else you don't understand? Ask it all at once," Yan Aohan said. Since this kinship was destined to end, it was better to cut it off early.

Yan Xibei looked at Yan Aohan, his eyes filled with wisdom gained from years of being a person and a ruler. "I only want to ask one more thing. Can I still be your child?"

Yan Aohan looked at Yan Xibei and asked in return, "What do you think?"

The cause had been planted; how could one take it back? There was no medicine for regret in this world.

Did Yan Xibei regret it? Of course she did, especially after Zhu Yanyi erased her traces. But she never voiced this regret, nor did she have time for it. She could only work harder, turning this regret into motivation to move forward.

Yan Xibei smiled bitterly. "Can I see Uncle Zhibin?"

"He is in the Strategist Alliance now and cannot come here," Yan Aohan said, looking at Yan Xibei.

Yan Xibei nodded slightly. "In that case, I won't see him. Send me to reincarnate."

After speaking, Yan Xibei turned and walked a few steps, then said, "Actually, Mom and Dad, I regretted it the moment you disappeared."

Yan Aohan and Zhu Yanyi did not speak. Yan Xizhong stepped out. "I will send you to reincarnate."

"Xizhong," Zhu Yanyi called out.

Yan Xizhong hurriedly asked, "Mom, what is it?"

"Come here for a moment." Zhu Yanyi beckoned Yan Xizhong. She went over, and she whispered a few words in her ear, then handed her something.

Yan Xizhong nodded slightly. "I understand, Mom." He then walked to Yan Xibei's side. "Let's go. I will send you to reincarnate."

"Your name is Yan Xizhong?" Yan Xibei asked softly.

"Yes," Yan Xizhong nodded seriously. "I am Yan Xizhong."

"You are Mom and Dad's child," Yan Xibei asked, a hint of envy in his eyes.

Yan Xizhong glanced at Yan Xibei. "I am actually an adopted son too. Mom and Dad have only one biological daughter, named Yan Yuxi. But you cannot see her."

"Yan Yuxi. That's nice." Yan Xibei's tone carried a faint, indescribable flavor. "Actually, I was very happy to be Mom and Dad's child. I still remember clearly how they taught me hand-in-hand when I was little."