Chapter One: The Great General Withdraws His Proposal, but the Empress Comes Calling

The Great Wilderness Dynasty.

Capital City, a modest shop owned by the Chu family.

“Chu Nan, three years have passed, and now I am the General Who Secures the Nation, personally appointed by His Majesty!”

“And yet you still idle your days away in this tiny shop, drifting in obscurity. In what way are you worthy of me, Yang Ruyan?”

Yang Ruyan stood tall before Chu Nan, her hand resting on her sword hilt, a sneer of contempt curling her lips.

Behind her, the soldiers she commanded cast scornful glances, as if they were looking upon some pitiful clown.

“In this world, there is a clear divide between scholar, farmer, artisan, and merchant,” Yang Ruyan said coldly. “You are nothing but a lowly merchant, yet you dare imagine yourself as a suitor for me. Preposterous!”

Chu Nan frowned slightly, lifting his gaze to meet hers. “General, what do you mean by this?”

Yang Ruyan let out a cold laugh, her mockery unrestrained. “The man who becomes my husband must be a true and upright hero! He could be a warrior upon the battlefield, leading armies to victory, or a pillar of the imperial court, serving the nation and versed in the ways of governance. But he will never be someone of your lowly standing!”

She snorted, continuing, “And you? At best, you’re a petty peddler—a merchant in name only, to flatter you.”

With that, she flung a heavy pouch of gold onto the table. “Chu Nan, take these hundred gold coins, sign the annulment, and get out of my world!”

At this, a faint, sardonic smile appeared on Chu Nan’s lips.

He spoke slowly, “Break off the engagement? If not for the supplies I provided you back then, how would you have survived on the northern front? How could you have achieved your present glory as General Who Secures the Nation?”

Three years ago.

Chu Nan discovered that his small corner shop could somehow connect to the world of the Great Wilderness Dynasty.

The very first time he crossed over, he saved Yang Ruyan.

And afterward, to aid her, he supplied her with countless resources.

The Yang family, in gratitude, signed a marriage contract, promising Yang Ruyan to Chu Nan.

But now, after attaining her lofty status as General, Yang Ruyan was renouncing the agreement.

Yang Ruyan’s expression shifted, but she quickly sneered, “Chu Nan, stop overestimating yourself! Even without your supplies, I would have swept all before me and led my troops to victory. Your ‘help’ was only ever your own wishful thinking!”

Her voice turned icy. “Besides, what have you done these three years except cling to this pitiful shop? A useless man like you is not worth my care.”

Chu Nan lowered his eyes, clenching his fists.

Moments later, he looked up, now calm. “You want to break off our engagement for the sake of the Marquis of Heavenly Sword’s heir, don’t you?”

He laughed coldly, a keen glint in his eyes. “Is he your so-called upright man?”

Yang Ruyan folded her arms, her tone brimming with pride. “Indeed! The young marquis began martial training at five, is skilled both in arms and letters, and is soon to inherit his father’s title. With his talents, he is worlds above a baseborn merchant like you!”

Chu Nan regarded her coolly. “You may annul the engagement, but every supply and ration I provided over the years must be repaid at cost. Sign a promissory note, and I will consent.”

Yang Ruyan paused, then let out a derisive laugh. “As expected, you’ll never rise above your station. Greed is in your bones—a merchant to the core!”

Her words dripped with scorn.

Chu Nan walked to the table, drew out an agreement from the drawer, and handed it to Yang Ruyan.

Yang Ruyan’s gaze turned icy as she tore the document to shreds, the scraps scattering across the shop.

“Chu Nan, you’ve played your little game well! From this moment, we are nothing to each other. If you dare spread tales, beware—I’ll see you dead without a grave!”

She motioned to her soldiers. “Burn this shop!”

The soldiers stepped forward at once, torches in hand, ready to ignite the place.

Chu Nan watched the flames draw near, his face set in cold resolve. He knew this shop was his only passage between worlds—he could not let it be destroyed.

As the fire threatened, he seized a chair and roared, “Yang Ruyan, if you dare burn this place, I won’t let you get away with it!”

Yang Ruyan merely spared him a contemptuous glance and strode out the door. “I’d like to see you try.”

Her voice was full of challenge.

…

On the streets of the capital.

A refined carriage rolled slowly through the throng.

The maid at the reins glanced back in confusion. “Miss… this shop is but a humble merchant’s stall. Why come here in person?”

A silvery, melodious voice answered from within, “The treasury of the Great Wilderness is depleted, and the border troops lack rations. How can we hope to withstand the four hundred thousand troops of the Grand Celebration?”

“Yet the Yang family’s army has prevailed time and again these last three years, their supplies never lacking. Someone must be aiding them—and that someone is this very shop.”

The maid was about to reply when she suddenly pointed ahead, alarmed. “Miss, the shop is on fire!”

Flames blazed skyward from the Chu family’s shop, smoke billowing thickly.

The maid hurriedly drew back the curtain, and a woman of breathtaking grace emerged.

Her hair was coiled in an elegant chignon, she wore a robe of gold-embroidered silk, radiant jewels crowning her brow, her features exuding a stately, regal air.

She was none other than Empress Cheng Lingyu of the Great Wilderness.

She gazed at the burning shop, a slight frown creasing her brow. “Has not the Yang family always protected this place? Why has it been set ablaze for no reason?”

She whispered to her maid, “Go. Put out the fire.”

The maid signaled subtly, and several figures in black swiftly converged from all sides, bringing the flames under control in no time.

As the smoke cleared, Cheng Lingyu stood by her carriage, watching as a soot-covered figure emerged from the shop.

He brushed the ashes from his clothes and regarded her with cold composure, showing not the slightest panic.

Cheng Lingyu was momentarily taken aback, curiosity stirring in her heart. In all her years, she had met few who could remain so unflustered in crisis, yet this man seemed uncommonly calm.

She stepped forward and spoke softly, “Had I not intervened just now, your shop would be nothing but ruins.”

Chu Nan looked up, noting her attire. “Thank you. You seem to be of the royal family?”

Cheng Lingyu raised a brow in mild surprise. “How did you know?”

Chu Nan sat down on the shop’s steps, his manner unruffled. “Your clothes are far too fine—such garments are worn only by those of imperial blood.”

“Now then, what is it you wish to buy?”

Cheng Lingyu glanced at her gown, momentarily bemused, then covered her mouth with a gentle laugh.

The Empress had not expected her clothing to give her away.

The maid blinked in curiosity. “How do you know we’ve come to buy something?”

Chu Nan let out a self-mocking laugh. “What else? Are you perhaps interested in a merchant just cast off by his betrothed?”

Before the maid could respond, Cheng Lingyu stepped forward, her gaze as sharp as a blade. “If you can provide two months’ rations for an army of a hundred thousand within seven days, you may name your price.”

She paused, her eyes holding a veiled hint. “Even… dealing with the Yang family would not be out of the question.”

Chu Nan glanced around at his humble shop, spreading his hands. “You want rations? Very well. But business is business. You must pay with treasures of equal worth.”

He smiled faintly, his tone resolute. “This is a small shop—no credit given.”

Cheng Lingyu’s heart leapt. So it was true!

This man could truly supply the rations.

To provide for an army of a hundred thousand for two months would be a fantasy to anyone else, yet Chu Nan showed no panic—he simply proposed a fair trade.

This meant he was utterly confident in his ability to deliver.

“This Linglong Sword was forged by a master general and ranks among the finest blades.”

Cheng Lingyu took a longsword from her maid and placed it before Chu Nan, her eyes agleam. “With this, may we exchange for the rations?”

A spark lit Chu Nan’s eyes as he gently traced the hilt.

After a moment’s silence, he nodded. “It’s a deal. Return here in seven days for your rations.”

With those words, he picked up the sword and turned into the shop.

Watching his retreating figure, a faint smile played at Cheng Lingyu’s lips. She ordered, “He is interesting. Look into his history with the Yang family.”

“Understood!” The maid departed swiftly.

…

The next day.

In a luxurious private box at the Flower City Christie’s Auction House.

Chu Nan, dressed in plain attire, sat calmly in the exclusive “08” box.

Over the past few years, he had often consigned rare antiques for sale.

Thus, he had become one of Christie’s distinguished clients.