The Fox's Eternal Star: A Tale of Love and Fate

Several centuries passed, and the world remained in turmoil, with wars raging endlessly. The Western Zhou, which Ji Fa had forcibly established, followed the Shang dynasty into decline. Other states rose and fell, vying for dominance, plunging the land into the chaos of the Warring States period.

North of the Yellow River, a new powerful state emerged, called "Northern Qi." Originally a land of snow and ice, harsh and inhospitable, Northern Qi had risen to prominence after its king gave birth to a young prince named "Tan Li." This prince was brave and skilled in warfare, a military genius who led troops into battle at the age of thirteen, expanding the kingdom's territory. The king of Northern Qi, breaking tradition, named him the General of the State, promoting him to a high rank despite his youth.

In just half a year, Northern Qi had crossed the Yellow River, rivaling neighboring states and establishing itself as a dominant force.

In the spring of that year, the state of Yue to the west launched an invasion. Tan Li led three thousand elite troops to break through the enemy's defenses, then commanded thirty thousand soldiers to pursue and conquer the cities of Yue. The king of Yue fled south, and Northern Qi seized vast territories in the west.

But this spring's victory also brought an unexpected change.

It began the day Tan Li led a group of soldiers into the royal palace of Yue. The palace was empty, a scene of bloodshed and abandonment.

"Report!" A soldier approached, kneeling respectfully before Tan Li.

"What is it?" Tan Li's silver sword gleamed coldly, still dripping with the warm blood of the Yue soldiers who had tried to invade his homeland. His strikingly beautiful face showed no remorse. He had always lived by the principle of not harming others unless provoked, and those who had sought to destroy him had met their end.

"After counting, we have five thousand prisoners of war and several hundred members of the Yue royal family! Should we take them back to the capital or execute them here?"

"The prisoners can be useful to Northern Qi, but the Yue royals are useless. They've lived in luxury, soft and weak, incapable of causing trouble. Let them go," Tan Li said as he climbed the steps of the grand hall, sitting on the throne that symbolized the highest authority in Yue. His silver sword swayed in his hand, reflecting his sharp, calculating eyes, young but already filled with terrifying wisdom.

"Yes, sir!" The soldier quickly retreated to carry out the orders.

Outside the hall, the sun shone brightly, its light streaming into the blood-stained palace of Yue, reflecting off Tan Li's sword and into his eyes.

His deep black eyes gleamed with pride and amusement, and a faint silver light, like stars twinkling in the night sky, captivated all who saw them.

Below the throne, his loyal guards stood in two rows, protecting him. Unless Tan Li gave an order, they would not move.

Suddenly, a small figure appeared on the steps outside the hall. Tan Li narrowed his eyes. There should be no women left in the palace, so why was there a child?

His guards immediately stepped forward, drawing their swords and pointing them at the child.

"Let him come," Tan Li said, playing with his silver sword as he addressed the figure below.

The child was strange, not fleeing in this moment of chaos but walking straight toward him. Tan Li felt a curiosity he hadn't known before. The child showed no fear, a faint smile on his lips, his steps steady, though still carrying the innocence of youth, there was a profound, almost overwhelming emotion emanating from him.

It was not the look of an ordinary child, but one of clarity and depth, both serene and unfathomable.

In that instant, Tan Li felt himself being drawn in.

The child climbed the steps and stood before him, a soft smile spreading across his face.

Tan Li heard the child's gentle voice say, "I've found you..."

...

Centuries later, shepherds in the northern wastes would speak of twin stars—one gold, one silver—dancing eternally across the horizon. Scholars dismissed them as myth. Poets wove them into ballads of love and loss.

But on silent nights, when the world held its breath, those who listened closely could hear it: the echo of a vow older than time, carried on solar winds.

Legend spoke of a star that had fallen in love with a stone on earth. They had entwined in the mortal world, enduring wind and rain, holding fast to an eternal vow.

Wherever you are—whenever you are—I will find you.

For stardust remembers.

...