Ancient Godly Monarch Chapter 5: Autumn Snow’s Attitude

AGM 0005 – Autumn Snow’s Attitude

Mustang sat by a window inside the Clear Wind Inn, quietly nursing a jar of liquor.

The 50th birthday of Bai Qingsong was set to take place in three days. Rumors circulated that the Bai Clan had distributed invitations across the entire nation, drawing influential figures from the Chu Country’s royal capital. At nearby tables, patrons were already deep in gossip, most having gathered just to witness the spectacle.

“Indeed, I heard the same. It appears Bai Qingsong is leveraging his daughter’s breakthrough to elevate his clan's standing. Her talent is truly frightening; imagine condensing an Astral Soul from the 3rd Heavenly Layer on the first try. Her potential is boundless. Once she unlocks her second and third Astral Gates, she’ll likely condense Astral Souls of the 3rd Heavenly Layer or higher. In the Chu Country, such talent makes her a figure of immense importance.”

“You’re right! Word is the Bai Clan intends to scrap the old marriage contract, which makes sense. That Qin Wentian from the Qin Clan is nothing but trash. What right does he have to be compared to Autumn Snow? Anyone with sense would discard him. I even heard that useless young master squandered a fortune of the Qin Clan’s Yuan Meteor Stones. I can't fathom why Qin Chuan continues to dote on that foster child.”

Many listeners shook their heads, baffled by the situation. Suddenly, the chatter died down as a figure in a flowing dress ascended the inn’s stairs. As she came into view, her beauty left the crowd breathless. Her bearing clearly marked her as a lady of a prestigious clan.

“Autumn Snow, the genius of the Bai Clan,” someone whispered. Nearby, Mustang glanced at Bai Autumn Snow and gave a silent nod of approval. The girl was indeed impressive, possessing both striking beauty and high-level talent. It was no surprise the Ye Clan sought a marriage alliance with her.

Mustang turned back to his drink, his eyes drifting toward the Bai Clan estate. He thought to himself, “The Bai Clan was once exiled from the capital, yet now their status is poised for a meteoric rise. That birthday gala in a few days will certainly be a grand affair.”

“Wait?” Mustang suddenly stiffened. Due to the unique nature of his own Astral Soul, his senses were incredibly tuned to Astral Energy. At that moment, he felt a massive, violent surge of Astral Energy descending from the heavens, centering on a spot near the Bai Clan.

With a mere thought, Mustang’s eyes shifted. Faint images of rotating constellations appeared in his pupils, making it seem as though he could peer through the fabric of reality.

“Hu...” Mustang’s heart skipped a beat. Judging by the intensity of the Astral Energy fluctuations, the source likely originated from a level beyond the 3rd Heavenly Layer. Was there another hidden genius within the Bai Clan? If so, why was only Autumn Snow being publicized?

Confused by the Bai Clan's secrecy, Mustang decided, “It seems I must pay the Bai Clan a personal visit tonight.”

Unaware of Mustang’s scrutiny, Qin Wentian was focused solely on his progress. Utilizing the Tempered Thousand Hammer Refinement Technique, he endured relentless pain to reconstruct his physique. Finally, after a bout of agonizing torment, a sharp “Ka Cha” echoed from his frame as his body evolved. A faint smile touched Qin Wentian’s lips; he had successfully reached the 4th level of the Body Refinement Realm! While the first three levels focused on skin and muscle, the middle three refined the bones and Meridians, and the final three strengthened the internal organs.

By the time his training concluded, night had fallen. Thoughts swirled in his mind as he left the training area and headed for the front courtyard. Qin Wentian suspected that if he revealed the truth of his progress to Bai Qingsong, the man would instantly rethink the annulment. However, he refused to beg for acceptance. He believed such trials were necessary to see a person's true character. His only concern now was Autumn Snow’s stance. After three years together, he believed she truly cared for him.

“I’ll ask her myself during Bai Qingsong’s birthday celebration in three days,” Qin Wentian resolved. He walked toward the exit, only to find two guards blocking his path. Knowing Qin Wentian was born with crippled Meridians, Bai Qingsong hadn't bothered with heavy security; two guards were already more than he felt the boy deserved.

As Qin Wentian approached, one guard stepped forward, blocking him with an angry snarl. “F*ck off!”

“It seems the dogs have finally learned how to snap,” Qin Wentian said, his expression turning icy. His words stunned the guard for a second. Quickly, the guard’s face twisted into a malicious grin. “It seems Young Master Qin has lived a soft life for too long and forgotten his place. Let me WAKE YOU UP!”

With a roar, the guard swung a fist toward Qin Wentian’s head. The force of the strike created a heavy gust of wind.

However, Qin Wentian’s senses were now razor-sharp. To a Stellar Martial Cultivator like him, the guard’s movements were laughably slow. He stepped aside with ease, then lunged forward, slamming his knee into the guard’s chest. A loud “Boom!” followed as the guard’s internal organs collapsed from the force. He was sent flying and hit the ground dead.

“What?” The second guard stood frozen in shock. Recovering quickly, he scoffed to himself, “How pathetic was he to be caught off guard by a piece of trash?” With a murderous look, the guard channeled his strength and attacked. His punches whistled through the air like a roaring tiger—the Ferocious Tiger Fist!

This time, Qin Wentian didn't dodge. He met the attack head-on, his fist striking like a steel mallet. “Ka Cha!” The sound of shattering bone filled the air. It was the guard’s hand that broke, splintering before he could even scream. Without hesitation, Qin Wentian’s fist moved toward the man’s skull. At the last second, he pulled his power back, merely knocking the guard unconscious instead of crushing his head.

Once finished, Qin Wentian dragged both bodies into the small house where he had been confined. He stripped one guard, swapped clothes, and slipped out of the courtyard, vanishing into the night.

Having lived there for three years, Qin Wentian knew the Bai Clan’s patrol routes by heart. He stuck to the shadows and remote paths, avoiding the sentries. After an hour, he reached the main gates of the residence.

As he approached the exit, his heart hammered against his ribs. He knew that if he were caught now, Bai Qingsong would show no mercy.

By a stroke of ill luck, just as he reached the gate, he heard footsteps coming toward him. He quickly lowered his head, trying to look as unremarkable as possible.

“Who goes there? Why are you acting suspicious? Raise your head.” That cold, familiar voice made his heart tremble. A bitter smile formed on his face. Was this fate playing a joke? Meeting her here, of all places.

Autumn Snow gasped and recoiled a step when Qin Wentian looked up.

Time seemed to stop as they stared at each other in the silence. Qin Wentian watched her closely, seeing her transition from panic to a cold calm. He smiled thinly, though he felt a deep pang of disappointment. He could read her thoughts perfectly.

“I... had no choice,” Autumn Snow said. Qin Wentian remained silent, just looking at her. He had never imagined they would end up like this.

“You spent years studying the condensation of Astral Souls, yet that is your only talent. What good is it? You were only meant to be a support, a tool to help others succeed. From the beginning, you were destined to be deceived by me.”

Her long black hair caught the breeze, framing her beauty, but Qin Wentian felt only a chill in his heart at her words.

“So that is why the Bai Clan returns my kindness with betrayal?”

Ignoring his question, Autumn Snow continued, “At thirteen, Ye WuQue linked with a constellation in the 2nd Heavenly Layer and condensed his first Astral Soul. By fifteen, he reached the Arterial Circulation Realm and formed a link with the 3rd Heavenly Layer for his second Astral Soul. Now, at eighteen, he is at the 8th level of the Arterial Circulation Realm and will likely reach the Yuanfu Realm before he is twenty. The gap between you and him is the distance between the Heavens and the Earth. You cannot even begin to compare.”

Qin Wentian finally understood. The man chosen for the new marriage alliance was Ye WuQue.

“Go. Regardless of everything, you did help me. I am not entirely heartless, so I will not stop you. Even if you live, you cannot stop the union between the Bai and Ye Clans. From now on, we are destined to live in two different worlds.” After speaking, Autumn Snow walked past him. In that moment, she felt like a complete stranger. Or perhaps, this was her true self all along, and he had simply been blind to her mask.

“Autumn Snow,” Qin Wentian called out, causing her to stop.

“Three years ago, it was your father, Bai Qingsong, who begged for this marriage engagement with the Qin Clan. My foster father didn't want to hinder your future and was hesitant, but he finally gave in because of your father’s desperate pleas.”

“During these three years, my foster father gave everything to the Bai Clan—resources, support for your rebuilding—and never once did he act superior. As for me, I truly considered you all my family.”

“Five days ago, I helped you condense your Astral Soul, and in return, your clan tried to murder me. To say you are letting me go out of kindness is a farce. It isn't a debt repaid; it's an insult.”

Qin Wentian’s voice was devoid of emotion as he began to walk away. “But you are right about one thing. From this moment on, you and I belong to different worlds.”