Traveling through thousands of years, I only love you

The scene of Xiao Yi and Li Lingyuan embracing each other at the gate of time and space seemed still before his eyes, but after the brilliant light faded, Xiao Yi found himself still in the ancient world. A glimmer of hope appeared in his heart, but the current situation did not allow him to indulge in the anticipation of a reunion.

Since Li Lingyuan's departure, Xiao Yi felt as if his soul had been drained away as well. He spent his days in that palace, shrouded in memories, oblivious to the affairs of state. He turned a deaf ear to the ministers' advice, showed no interest in mediating the disputes within the court, and those matters of state he had once cherished became trivial matters. His mind was filled only with Li Lingyuan's every smile and frown, and each fragment of memory was like a sharp blade, carving deep scars into his heart, leaving him unable to extricate himself.

While Xiao Yi was lost in longing, the situation on the border was quietly shifting. The foreign tribes that had long coveted Xiao Yi's kingdom had long since sensed something was amiss. They had previously feared Xiao Yi's wisdom and bravery, and their nation's rapid recovery after the war, but now they saw an opportunity. Border defenses began to slacken, and loopholes appeared in the once-tight security. The soldiers guarding the border, having long lacked effective command and supplies from the imperial court, were demoralized.

The leader of the foreign tribe was an ambitious Khan. Upon hearing that Xiao Yi had neglected state affairs due to his love affairs, he was overjoyed. He quickly summoned the warriors of his tribe, gathered food and weapons, and assembled a massive army. Like a ferocious beast, this army pounced towards the border of Xiao Yi's country.

When news of the foreign invasion reached the capital, Xiao Yi sat in the palace garden, lost in thought as he gazed upon the flowers Li Lingyuan had once loved. The blossoms swayed in the wind, seemingly evoking a memory of their past sweetness. But this beautiful scene was shattered by the hurried footsteps of soldiers. "Your Majesty, this is terrible! The foreign army is approaching, and several border cities have already been lost!" the soldier's voice trembled, his eyes filled with terror.

Xiao Yi awoke as if from a dream, his gaze gradually shifting from confusion to a stern expression. He realized that his negligence had brought catastrophic disaster upon the nation. He hurriedly donned his armor and summoned the remaining ministers to discuss countermeasures. However, the court was already in a state of panic. Even the ministers, usually eloquent and articulate, were now at a loss for ideas, instead resorting to mutual accusations and buck-passing.

Xiao Yi knew someone had to step up and stabilize the army. He personally led the capital's garrison toward the border. However, he hadn't anticipated the extent to which the nation's military had declined during his absence. Food and fodder were scarce, weapons were outdated, and the soldiers' combat effectiveness was low due to a long period of lack of training.

On the battlefield, Xiao Yi witnessed the might of the foreign army. Their cavalry swept in like a whirlwind, leaving devastation in their wake. Xiao Yi's troops fought back fiercely, but each charge was like an egg against a rock. Blood stained the ground, and the soldiers' screams echoed in his ears. Xiao Yi wielded his sword, slaying enemy after enemy, but the enemies seemed endless.

During a fierce battle, Xiao Yi was surrounded by the enemy. With only a few close associates left, they fought back to back, desperately fighting the enemy. Xiao Yi's armor was stained with blood, both from the enemy and his own people. His eyes burned with anger and regret, hating himself for having let the country fall into such a predicament.

After a bitter battle, Xiao Yi finally managed to break free. But he knew the war was already lost. The border defenses had completely collapsed, and the foreign army advanced rapidly, closing in on the capital. Along the way, civilians were displaced, and once-thriving towns were burned to ruins. Innocent civilians cried and fled, their eyes filled with despair.

Xiao Yi watched these tragic scenes with a wrenching pain in his heart. Returning to the capital, he attempted to organize a final resistance. However, the capital was already in chaos, with some nobles and wealthy merchants packing up their belongings and preparing to flee. Xiao Yi ordered the city gates sealed, forbidding anyone to escape, but the order proved difficult to enforce. Panic engulfed the city, and rumors spread. Some claimed Xiao Yi was the king who had brought about the downfall of his country, and that his incompetence had led to all this.

The foreign troops soon arrived at the city gates, encircling the capital. Xiao Yi climbed the city wall and looked at the dense enemy troops below. He felt an unprecedented despair. He tried to boost morale, but the soldiers' eyes had lost their fighting spirit.

The siege began. The foreign troops used catapults to hurl huge rocks into the city walls, causing them to crumble under the impact. Then, they erected ladders and began to scale the walls. Xiao Yi led his soldiers in a fierce resistance, firing arrows and dousing the ladder-ridden enemy with hot oil. However, the enemy's offensive was too fierce, and the wave after wave of attacks overwhelmed the defenders.

After fierce fighting, the city walls were finally breached. Foreign troops poured into the capital like a tide, and chaos engulfed the city. Shouts and screams mingled, and flames raged through the city. Protected by his personal guards, Xiao Yi engaged the enemy in street fighting. He knew this was his last stand.

They navigated the narrow streets, each step fraught with danger. Xiao Yi watched as civilians were slaughtered by the enemy, their homes burned, and the entire capital transformed into a living hell. He was filled with anger and a sense of powerlessness. He wanted to protect his people, but he was powerless.

During a battle, Xiao Yi's personal guards fell one after another. He himself was seriously wounded, blood gushing from his wounds. Sword in hand, he faced the enemy alone. His eyes held no fear, only endless grief and indignation. He brandished his sword, fighting the enemy, but ultimately he was outnumbered.

Just when Xiao Yi thought he was going to die, a loyal minister arrived with a small group of soldiers and rescued him. They escaped through the secret passage of the capital, leaving behind a sea of ​​fire and the cheers of the enemy.

In exile, Xiao Yi watched his country ravaged by war, his heart filled with remorse. He once had a prosperous nation, with beloved people, but now, everything was gone. The pain from his wounds continued to ache, but it was nothing compared to the pain in his heart.

He and the rest of the people hid in the mountains, avoiding the enemy's pursuit, living a life of hunger and cold. They had insufficient food, relying on picking wild fruits and hunting for survival. At night, they rested in caves, and Xiao Yi often woke from nightmares, dreams of the tragic loss of the country and the despair in the eyes of the people.

During his exile, Xiao Yi heard more about the aftermath of the nation's fall. After occupying the capital, the foreigners committed murder, looting, and other atrocities. They looted vast quantities of treasure and abducted many civilians, enslaving them. Once-beautiful palaces were razed to the ground, precious cultural relics and ancient books burned, and the nation's culture and history suffered a devastating blow.

Xiao Yi's heart was filled with hatred, and he vowed to seek revenge. But he also knew that he had nothing left, and it would be difficult to restore his country. He began to think about how to rise again, how to gather his old subordinates, and how to restore the country's strength.

However, reality proved cruel. His whereabouts were known to the enemy, who dispatched a large force to hunt him down. He and his companions were forced to move repeatedly, arduously advancing through the mountains and forests. They encountered natural disasters such as torrential rains and mudslides, resulting in numerous casualties and separations.

While fleeing from pursuers, Xiao Yi became separated from the main group. Traversing the mountains and forests alone, he grew increasingly weak. His wounds, untreated, became infected, and a high fever clouded his consciousness. He lost his way in the woods, unsure of where to go.

He dragged his heavy body through the mountains and forests, struggling to walk. His eyes were no longer as bright as before, only filled with endless fatigue and sadness. He thought of the time he had spent with Li Lingyuan, and those beautiful memories were now his only comfort. He wondered if Li Lingyuan knew about his plight in modern times, and he wished she were by his side.

In the mountains, Xiao Yi came across a small village. Seeing his miserable state, the villagers took pity on him and took him in. They treated his wounds and provided him with food and shelter. In this small village, Xiao Yi felt a sense of warmth.

But the good times didn't last long. Pursuing foreign forces soon found the village. They surrounded it and demanded that the villagers hand over Xiao Yi. The villagers refused, taking up simple weapons to fight the enemy. Xiao Yi was deeply moved by the villagers' willingness to risk their lives for him. Despite his own injuries, he joined the battle.

But the enemy was too powerful, and the village was quickly overrun. The villagers were massacred, and their houses burned. Xiao Yi was wounded again in the battle. He looked upon the devastation before him, tears of grief and indignation streaming down his face. He fled the village amidst the smoke and flames, continuing his journey into exile.

His body had reached its limit, but the faith in his heart still sustained him. He knew he couldn't fall like this. He wanted to avenge his country, his people, and those who died because of him. In exile, he constantly searched for a chance to restore his country, even if that hope was as slim as a candlelight in the darkness.

One night, Xiao Yi came to an abandoned temple. Inside, an ancient statue was enshrined. He knelt before it, praying for guidance. His eyes were filled with piety and despair. He didn't know where the future lay, but he knew he had to keep going.

At this moment, Xiao Yi was no longer the almighty monarch, but an exile who had lost everything. His country, his honor, his love, were all ruthlessly destroyed in this disaster. He walked alone in the darkness, burdened with sin and hatred, heading towards an unknown future.