Fate's Enchantment

Of course, Zhao Han couldn't ruin his plan of using her by saying she was just a mere pawn. He needed to continue pretending he cared for Aoi.

"I'm merely concerned that you could've got hurt," he smiled. His act was so perfect it could fool the gods. Aoi, a mere human, would definitely believe him.

"You're concerned about me?" She grinned, her eyes lighting up with a mix of surprise and amusement.

"My lady, let's go and help you to your room," he reached out for her hands in a manner of etiquette. Aoi hesitated for a moment, then reached out and took his hands, allowing him to guide her to her room.

As they walked through the grand corridors of the palace, Zhao Han couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt. He knew he was using her, but there was something about her innocence and genuine nature that tugged at his heart. Her trust in him, despite the circumstances, made him question his actions. He quickly pushed those thoughts aside, reminding himself of his ultimate goal.

The palace was a labyrinth of opulence, with its towering columns and intricate carvings. The walls were adorned with rich tapestries and golden accents, reflecting the wealth and power of the royal family. As they walked, Aoi couldn't help but marvel at the grandeur around her, though a part of her remained wary.

Zhao Han glanced at her, noticing the awe in her eyes. "It's quite a sight, isn't it?" he remarked, his voice gentle.

Aoi nodded, her grip on his hand tightening slightly. "Yes, it's beautiful," she replied, her voice filled with genuine admiration.

They reached her room, a spacious and elegantly decorated chamber. Zhao Han opened the door and led her inside. The room was adorned with silk drapes, plush cushions, and delicate porcelain vases filled with fresh flowers. A large window overlooked the palace gardens, offering a breathtaking view.

"Rest well, my lady," Zhao Han said, his voice gentle as he helped her settle in.

This won't do, he thought to himself. Maybe... I should ignore her more. She'd die in the end anyway... He tried to convince himself, but the guilt lingered.

A royal can never have love, he reminded himself. Aoi practices a special kind of medicine that's only been heard in stories or books. And Zhao Han's father can only be saved by her medicine. But in her whole life, she could only make one of them. The medicine needs... special things to make.

In this world, there are three types of people. One, that are humans. Normal. Another one, Tianming. And the last one, Shenwai. Normal humans are like us. Tianming, meaning "heavenly mandate," have power derived from divine authority. They could command elements of the heavens, influence destiny, and uphold the balance of cosmic order. Their power would be deeply tied to celestial laws and could include control over natural forces and fate itself. Their source of power is Celestial Authority. Their power comes from the heavens and celestial bodies, granting them control over natural forces and destiny. Meanwhile, they're limited to laws. They have to follow simple rules of heavens. If one breaks the rules, it must go through certain punishment such as, loss of powers, eternal banishment, soul imprisonment. Despite their heavenly mandate, they might still be susceptible to human emotions like love, fear, and despair, which can cloud their judgment.

Shénwài, meaning "beyond gods," are those beings that transcend even the gods. This would imply an almost limitless power, unbound by any conventional divine hierarchy. Their abilities could encompass a vast range of supernatural phenomena, defying the very limits of what is known to be possible. But each of them has differences. In case of Shenwai people, their weakness is overconfidence. Shenwai people's abilities come from their spirits, the more powerful cultivation, and the more powers. Zhao Han is from Shenwai. But he has been hiding this fact from the world. Shenwai people are respected, but they're rare. In this, there are two types of Shenwai, one that is immortal and another one that's mortal. The ones that are mortals, lives up to 10,000 years or more. But those in supreme level of cultivation can live up to 30,000 thousands of years. Legend has it, the most honored supreme cultivator is a woman, and she lived up to 54,000 years. According to some rumor, she is still alive. But no one has seen her yet. Zhao Han's father is also a Shenwai. Due to some sins done by him, he was ripped off of his powers and titles. To restore his powers and get his throne back, he'd need Aoi's spirit. Zhao Han's father, Emperor Zhao Wei, is already 17,000 years old.