Infinity, The Arcade Age-Chapter 281: Strangers

After an intense battle, Gan Ning—who had already sustained significant injuries during his duel with Zhao Yun—ultimately fell at Qin Ming's hands.

It had taken him more than a dozen finishing moves from Qin Ming to finally go down, showcasing an incredibly tenacious vitality.

As for where Qin Ming had suddenly pulled more than a dozen different finishing moves from—well, he had just unlocked an S-rank skill, allowing him to manipulate his own blood at will.

All those so-called special moves were simply blood-based imitations he had conjured up.

Blood Orochi Nagi, Blood Tyrant's Roaring Fist, Blood Forbidden Fruit of the Earth—hell, he even pulled off a Blood Orochi's Eight Maidens at the end!

With his fingers coated in solidified blood, he had ripped and shredded Gan Ning apart before injecting blood directly into his body, lifting him high into the air, and detonating it—blasting the already-injured Gan Ning into two pieces.

The freely shapeshifting blood, combined with White Flame's ability to seep into a target's body and lower their defense, made every one of Qin Ming's attacks brutally efficient.

Technically, he could infuse his blood attacks with Kusanagi Flame as well, but the problem was that Scarlet Flame burned too hot, causing the blood to vaporize too quickly, leading to excessive energy consumption.

It was flashy, sure—but in actual combat, White Flame was far more practical.

Although these blood-powered special moves lacked the raw destructive power and unique effects of the originals, visually speaking, they were indistinguishable from the real thing—except that Qin Ming's versions were all blood-red.

Even White Flame couldn't suppress the overwhelming crimson glow of his blood attacks.

After beating Gan Ning to death with a relentless combo, Qin Ming finally felt that he had fully adapted to his new abilities.

However, due to the heavy consumption of his own blood, his body size shrank from 2.3 meters down to 1.9 meters.

Standing on the deck, Qin Ming gazed at the retreating Wu soldiers with an expressionless face.

Beside him, Zhao Yun—who had sustained his own injuries while battling Gan Ning—walked over and gave him a respectful cupped-fist salute as a gesture of gratitude for his assistance.

Seeing that their damaged ship was beginning to sink, the group quickly seized several Mengchong warships and began sailing toward Shu's military camp.

With General Gan Ning dead, Wu no longer dared to pursue them.

By the time Qin Ming and his group successfully landed at Shu's camp, Wu's long-planned mission to abduct A'Dou had officially ended in failure.

Under Zhao Yun's escort, Qin Ming and the others rushed back to Shu's capital, Chengdu, without delay.

There, Shu's leadership—who had already been informed of their return—had been waiting for them.

With a creak, the convoy came to a halt as Zhao Yun and the others dismounted.

Immediately, the female bodyguards and Hound troops spread out, weapons at the ready.

Zhao Yun, leading A'Dou by the hand, approached the group of officials awaiting them.

Upon seeing the man at the forefront, Zhao Yun immediately dropped to one knee and lowered his head.

"Your servant Yun greets My Lord!"

As soon as Zhao Yun spoke, Liu Bei—standing at the front—rushed forward, grasping his arms and pulling him up with both hands, his face filled with emotion.

"General Zhao, you've done well."

"This is merely my duty, My Lord," Zhao Yun replied, his tone steady. "Moreover, the reason we were able to rescue Young Master A'Dou is entirely due to the wisdom and selflessness of the Lady."

As he spoke, he stepped aside, making way for someone else to step forward.

From behind him, a carriage came into view.

Standing beside it, Qin Ming caught sight of a familiar broad-browed, sharp-eyed middle-aged man with notably long earlobes.

His eye twitched involuntarily, and he awkwardly lowered his head, feeling a guilty conscience creeping up on him.

At the same time, the carriage's curtain was pulled aside, and Madam Sun stepped out.

Still wearing her signature red armor, her ample chest and long legs prominently displayed, she inexplicably had a faint blush on her face.

After nimbly stepping off the carriage, she first cast a sideways glance at Qin Ming, then strode toward Liu Bei.

"A'Dou was taken out by my own decision. That was my mistake. Whatever punishment is due, I will accept it."

Hearing this, Liu Bei simply chuckled and shook his head, not blaming her at all.

As he gazed at this so-called wife, who had been married to him as part of a political alliance, his expression turned complicated.

There was frustration at her unruly nature, displeasure at her defiant personality, wariness, and perhaps even a trace of sympathy.

He knew that this special-status woman was someone he could never and would never trust, even if her daring, unyielding nature meant she would never secretly conspire with her older brother to harm him.

He was a monarch, and a monarch could never afford to be ruled by sentiment.

And it wasn't just him—Sun Quan would never fully trust her either.

Because Sun Quan was also a monarch.

In the end, this woman was merely a pitiful pawn caught in the endless struggles of political factions.

"Shangxiang, from now on, A'Dou—"

"From now on, let the other concubines take care of him. I'm really not good at raising children."

"...That works too. That works."

Seeing that Madam Sun had actually been tactful this time, not causing a scene as she usually did, Liu Bei nodded approvingly.

Liu Bei's brows furrowed slightly as he lifted his gaze toward Sun Ji's face.

Her expression was indifferent, but her cheeks carried a faint blush. Though it had been years since he had last visited her chambers, as her husband, he still understood her well enough to sense that something was off.

Liu Bei cast a deep look at Sun Ji before silently withdrawing his gaze. His eyes then landed on the man standing behind her—Qin Ming, who had his head lowered and remained completely silent.

After a long pause, Liu Bei suddenly spoke.

"So, this warrior is the hero who slew General Gan Ning and helped me reclaim my son?"

Hearing this, Qin Ming quickly lifted his head and cupped his hands in salute.

"Your servant, Zhao Ming, greets My Lord!"

"Zhao Ming? Hahaha, an excellent name. You have rendered great service in this campaign. How about I grant you—"

"No need for a title," Sun Ji interrupted abruptly before Liu Bei could finish. "I find him agreeable. I've already decided to have him as my personal guard and carriage driver—we've discussed this beforehand."

Liu Bei's eyes flickered as he glanced at Qin Ming, whose massive frame had once again swelled after absorbing more blood. Then, he turned back to Sun Ji, his expression unreadable.

After two seconds of silence, he nodded.

"Very well, as you wish. However, without an official rank, it would be troublesome for him to move freely within the palace grounds. Since he has indeed performed meritorious service, I cannot leave him unrewarded. I shall appoint him as a deputy general. He may form a personal guard of one hundred men, dedicated to ensuring your safety."

With that, Liu Bei gave Qin Ming a brief nod before turning away with a smile.

Watching this unfold, Sun Ji's lips trembled slightly. Just as Liu Bei was about to walk away, leading A'Dou by the hand, she suddenly called out.

"Hey! Husband! Don't you have anything to say to me?"

Liu Bei abruptly halted.

Lowering his head, he remained silent for a few seconds before slightly turning his face toward her. His voice was calm as he spoke.

"I do not blame you, Shangxiang. It is I who have wronged you as a husband. I have never been, nor will I ever be, the kind of husband you wish for. Before I am your husband, I am the heir of Prince Jing of Zhongshan and the sovereign of Shu Han. I... This is fine. It is as it should be."

With a slight nod, he took A'Dou by the hand and left with his entourage.

Sun Ji stood motionless, her teeth sinking into her lip—so hard that she drew blood, which trickled down the corner of her mouth.

She had deliberately crafted this moment—her flushed cheeks, her posture—all for Liu Bei to see.

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She knew Liu Bei would understand exactly what it meant.

It was an undisguised act of vengeance against him.

She had long considered the consequences of her actions, but she did not care.

At worst, she would simply die.

She had even discussed it with Qin Ming beforehand, asking if he was willing to die with her.

If they could escape, they would become fugitives together. If they couldn't, then they would die together in this place.

And now, the faint flush on her face was proof of Qin Ming's answer.

Yet Sun Ji had never expected that Liu Bei would pretend as if nothing had happened—not only sparing Qin Ming, but even granting him an official title and allowing him to reside in her estate.

Faced with the choice between defending his honor and maintaining his power, Liu Bei had chosen the latter—without hesitation.

"Brothers are like limbs; women are like clothes."

For the sake of his kingdom, for the sake of restoring the Han Dynasty, Liu Bei had sacrificed everything in his life.

To him, the restoration of Han was paramount.

As for a mere wife—what did she matter?

From this moment forward, they would be nothing more than strangers.

Sun Ji would forever remain Liu Bei's wife in name only, a woman confined within her residence, a political tool used to maintain relations between Shu and Wu.

No matter what she did—she would never be free from this identity.

Never.

Taking a deep breath, Sun Ji raised her hand and wiped the blood from her lips.

Then, without looking back, she turned away from Liu Bei and strode toward Qin Ming.

Qin Ming, who had been fully prepared to fight to the death and forcibly escape with Sun Ji, was momentarily stunned.

"What? No confrontation?"

"There's no need! There never will be! He gave me his final act of respect—and compensation! So this 'marriage'—fine, I'll accept it!"

"So, what now?"

"Let's go! Back to my chambers! I've got years of losses to make up for—all of them!"