Although Nan Ruohuai was of common birth, he was still an adult prince with his own possessions. He owned a moderately sized land on one of the islands, neighboring a small town with several thousand people. It was a convenient little place.

His estate sat near a mountain, facing the river, and the main building was on a small slope with fields below and small villages scattered throughout. It was a peaceful and beautiful scenery. From atop the hill on clear days, one could see the distant town and the yellow road winding back to the manor.

It was currently the end of summer, and the weather was sizzling hot. The wind, however, would carry a wisp of coolness as it blew past the river. Lying down under a shady tree would make the cruel midday sun quite a bit more tolerable.

This land had been the same for many years, seeing little change if any. Even though there was an ongoing fight for the throne, that was a matter for the royal capital. This place was by no means lightyears away from the conflict, but it was separated by the deep void. To those who had toiled on this land all their life, the furthest place they had ever been to was the small town,...